Today is Thursday. 2,000ish year ago, around this time - Jesus was preparing himself for what he knew was the will of the Father. Betrayed by a kiss, and tried as a criminal - Jesus would be handed over to the Roman government to be tried in order to be crucified. This last day of freedom, Jesus chose to do a few things prior to this happening.
On Thursday he stopped his earthly ministry and started his intercessory ministry. He closed himself off from the public and spoke to his closest followers, the Disciples. He shared with them lasting principles and commands. To love others, to serve others, and to share the most important gift with them and that was "the Way." He reminds the disciples to understand that hope doesn't stop with His death, rather it just begins. He explained that he was the way the truth and the life, and that no one came to the father, except through him.
After a few words of hope of remaining in him, and sharing with the disciples about the power and strength they will receive from His spirit that will last on past his death - he prayed. He prayed and he prayed, and he prayed. He prayed that he would glorify the Father, he prayed for the sanctification of his followers, and he prayed for the unity of all believers.
Then - betrayal. The last thing before Jesus was handed over to the authorities was prayer. Prayer didn't deliver Jesus from his trial - but it did much more. It gave him strength, it got his head in the game, it focused his mind and heart on the prize. Prayer gave not just Jesus hope, but others hope.
Today is Thursday. How will you prepare for the celebration of Jesus' death tomorrow?
So here we go: (Copy, paste, and print)
1.) Spend today in prayer, all day. Whenever you have a still moment, use that time to pray.
- Pray for those who you now do not believe in Jesus for eternal life.
- Pray that God would glorify you, in order to glorify himself.
- Pray that God would guide you and direct you towards sanctification.
- Pray that God would give you a spirit of unity with other believers.
2.) There is no two. Even when it's hard to pray, today, try to converse with God, you will be amazed.
Keep Rockin' for Jesus! Please leave comments on find me on Facebook with questions!
Vital Link Student Ministry, Pastor Joey Ruyter, 4.9.09
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