Scripture:

John 17:1-5

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Prayer:

Father, we call you Father following after the example of Jesus Christ.  We have been brought into His life by His work and you have become our Father.  We cry out to you to give us strength to enter into your throne room and see our brokenness. Give us courage to see our wholeness in you.  As we walk this season give us rest in your approval and love.  Give us hope in your redemption and purifying peace.  Open our hearts to hear your love song.  Empower us through the Spirit to shake off those things that entangle us to the world and set our eyes on you.  Through Jesus we pray. Amen.

Meditation:

The hour has come.  The story of Jesus in the book of John has really been building to this moment.  The hour has come.  Jesus has just told the men who have been walking and talking with him for three years that He is leaving. He has let them know that they have peace; that trouble will come but that He has overcome the world so they can take heart, have courage, and not falter.  The hour has come.  

How often we live our lives in the anticipation of what is to come.  If this happens or when that takes place then it (whatever it is) will take place.  We may put off conversations with people because the timing is not right.  We may hold back in pursuit of relationship mending because we just aren’t ready.  Someday will be the time to find the right place to worship, but not today.  Waiting for the right time gives us permission to stay in isolation.  It gives us permission to hedge our bets and assume a stance of protection.  If it’s not quite time yet then nothing bad can happen.  

The hour has come.  Our lives are lived on the other side of this prayer, this statement.  In our linear understanding of time, this prayer is past and we are living in its reality. This hour has come.  Those of us in Christ are in the epilogue of this statement.  Jesus has received glory as the Father has received glory and we are part of that. Life is given, unity is promised, love is abounding.  In this place we have nothing to fear, no place for fret, and no time to wait for it to happen.  The hour has come.  We are resting in the Risen Jesus, the death slayer, the hostility killer.  The hour has come and all things have been made new.

Action:

What have you been waiting on?  Is there a hard truth that you need to share with someone?  Seek God to guide you as you posture yourself in the place of For and love in your approach.  Is there a hurt that you need to forgive and release to the One who has taken all offense?  Is there a journey away from business and to the rest Jesus provides?  Do you need to stop so you can hear the Father tell you His love for you?  Ask the Father to guide you to the place where you have waited and move you to action.