American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 78
ARC Prayer Meeting:
This past Sunday at the American Reformation Church, we continued our series on God’s love. The title of the message was, “The Apostle of Love.” Though Paul certainly was used of God to pen the virtues of God’s love and define its reality, there was another Apostle in redemptive history that was known as the “Apostle of Love.” Traditionally, he was also believed to be the youngest Apostle and that is the Apostle John.
There are three primary reasons for this designation. First, in his writings inspired by the Holy Spirit, love was a major revelation he expounded upon. Second, was his personal relationship with Christ. He penned with his own hand that he was the disciple that Jesus loved. No other man or Apostle dared make that distinction. John, however, did.
The most quoted verse in the entire Bible is John 3:16 and it declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That may be true in a general sense, but John believed he was God’s favorite. Two primary reasons for this belief Biblically came down to the Last Supper as John inclined his head on the bosom of the Lord and Jesus calling John at the agony of the cross to care for His mom as he paid the ransom for the sin of this world.
It is at the Last Supper that John records that last admonishments of the Lord to His disciples before He would suffer and die. From John 13-17, John mentions the word love about 30 times depending on the translation. As Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He sets the example of loving one another. Love is presented by Jesus as a fruit of obedience. If we love Him, we will keep his word and obey His commands. As a result, God will abide in us, manifest His presence, and make us God’s home.
Jesus called His people to abide in His love and by this love the world would know that we were His disciples. The Lord went to great lengths to reveal the love between Him, the Father, the Holy Spriit, and God’s people. In fact, He stated the Father loved His disciples as He loved His only begotten Son. Mindboggling to say the least. Lastly, Jesus prayed for the love and unity of His church at least 6 or 7 times. Obviously, this prayer target by the Lord was near and dear to his heart.
He prayed, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21). Jesus desired that His followers be united in the same way He is united with the Father—He wanted His people to be aware of a deep, spiritual oneness. He prayed Love would be our most powerful witness to the world: “Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23) The unity and love among believers was to serve as a testimony to the world not only of God’s love, but Jesus’ divine mission.
He prayed for shared glory and presence: “I have given them the glory that you gave me... I desire that they also... may be with me where I am.” (John 17:22, 24) Jesus wants believers to experience His glory and eternal presence.
He prayed for His Love to dwell within His people: “That the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26) Jesus prays that divine love would live in His followers, forming the foundation of their unity and mission, which is to advance the Gospel of the Kingdom in our poor-fallen world in Jesus’ name!
