The Rev. Karen Baughman '06, Library Technical Processor, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

John 17:20-26

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Devotional

The time has come. Change is in the air. Jesus has shared his last meal on earth with his disciples and given them his final instructions and reassurances. Jesus will soon lay his burden down and go to the cross.

Before leaving the safety of the upper room, Jesus begins to pray. He prays for his disciples, but more amazingly, he prays for us who will believe in Jesus in the days, years, and centuries to come.

All of us will know change in our lives. For some of us, it will be as monumental as the disciples knew in the death and resurrection of their Teacher and Lord. For others, it will be small changes throughout our lives. Even our churches and our seminary will know change. Throughout all the changes we will know as individuals and as groups, Jesus prayed for us. He prayed for our unity. He prayed that we will know we are loved by God. He prayed we will live in such a way so that the world may know God.

Amazing! Jesus knew we would need God’s love and help through it all.

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for loving us before we were even born. Thank you for sending your Son to show us your love and how we should live. Be with us through all the changes in our lives. Help us always to reflect your face in all that we do and say and think. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

The Rev. Karen Baughman '06, Library Technical Processor, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

John 17:20-26

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Devotional

The time has come. Change is in the air. Jesus has shared his last meal on earth with his disciples and given them his final instructions and reassurances. Jesus will soon lay his burden down and go to the cross.

Before leaving the safety of the upper room, Jesus begins to pray. He prays for his disciples, but more amazingly, he prays for us who will believe in Jesus in the days, years, and centuries to come.

All of us will know change in our lives. For some of us, it will be as monumental as the disciples knew in the death and resurrection of their Teacher and Lord. For others, it will be small changes throughout our lives. Even our churches and our seminary will know change. Throughout all the changes we will know as individuals and as groups, Jesus prayed for us. He prayed for our unity. He prayed that we will know we are loved by God. He prayed we will live in such a way so that the world may know God.

Amazing! Jesus knew we would need God’s love and help through it all.

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for loving us before we were even born. Thank you for sending your Son to show us your love and how we should live. Be with us through all the changes in our lives. Help us always to reflect your face in all that we do and say and think. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.