What do you say to your young or grown child as you send him forth into the world? What are your last pearls of wisdom to guide her forth in safety? Or what's in your last will and testament that will prepare your loved ones for life without you? This "exit interview" in John 17: 6-19 is Jesus' last will and testament (his high priestly prayer) to his disciples and to us. As Jesus prepares his disciples (and us) for life without him, what are his prayer requests? Jesus reminds God that he has showed us God in who he is and asks God to guard us from the wiles of the world that distract us from our focus on Jesus as our center. Jesus reminds us hearing this prayer that we are to be "in" the world, but not "of" the world - do our mission and service as we are called to care for the least/lost/lonely, work for justice, and share Christ's love as he has shared it with us.
In this month of graduations and Confirmation, we remember that we have done as best we could to prepare those who we send forth. We have taught, role modeled, listened, and loved as Jesus has done for us. Now it's time to trust in God's guidance, the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer as we let go. Our stance is as ones "standin' in the need of prayer." And then we too go forth into the world.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelley
I like the idea that Jesus prayed for the disciples and also for me.
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