Some truths are just too big for our minds to fully comprehend

READ John 17-18

Who did Jesus pray for in the upper room? Let’s see what he says. In 17:9 he clearly states that he is not praying for the world. Rather he is praying for those whom the Father has given him. So this prayer is only for those who were a gift from the Father to the Son before the foundation of the world.

Does this include more than the apostles? See 17:20. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” So, if he is only praying for those who were a gift from the Father and this prayer includes all who will believe based on the words of the Apostles, then he is praying for every believer today. And that means… every believer today was a gift from the Father to the Son before the foundation of the world.

Jesus has given eternal life to everyone the Father gave him. (17:3)

Jesus manifests the Father’s name, i.e. who he really is, to those whom the Father gave him. (17:6)

Jesus prays for those whom the Father gave him. (17:9)

Jesus asks the Father to keep those whom he has given him after his ascension. (17:11)

Jesus wants those whom the Father has given him to be with him through eternity. (17:24)

Think about who you are in Christ, friends! Glory!

Prayer: Father, it is a bit mind-boggling for us to contemplate that you chose us and presented us as a love gift to your Son before all of creation. Before we existed in time and space, we were chosen as a part of your forever family and presented by you to your Son. And he came to die for us and bear the penalty of our sin. Father, this is too big for us. Help thou our unbelief!