Friday, 15 March 2024

The Upper Room Discourse 79

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John 17:17 Make them holy in the truth. Your word is truth.

There is a lot of mention here (in Yeshua's prayer) of "them." To whom is Yeshua referring? Let's look back and see. Yeshua's prayer begins in John 17:1, and continues for the entire chapter. Yeshua prays to the Father throughout. He starts by including Himself in the first person in the first 3 verses, then He includes Himself in the third person in verses 4 and 5.

In verse 6, a transition takes place. Yeshua includes His disciples ... John 17:6b the men of this world that You gave Me. Is Yeshua's prayer limited to the 12 Apostles, or does it include all future disciples? We're not quite there yet, however; Yeshua answers my question just a few verses later. John 17:20 I pray not on behalf of these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.

Welcome to the family of God. Yeshua is praying for you, if you have believed the message. What is "the message?" Why, it's the gospel. And the true gospel is the correct answer to this question, first asked to all the Apostles, but answered by Peter ... Matthew 16:13 When Yeshua came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ... Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

The message is a correct understanding of Who Yeshua is. Matthew 16:18b "... +upon this rock I will build My community. This is the promised foundation stone. Psalm 118:22-23 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. It is from Adonai: it is marvelous in our eyes!

With all this discussion about who "them" is, we might miss the main point of the verse, to "make 'them' holy" in the truth of the Word of God. To be made holy is to be set apart and separated. This is a reference to last time's teaching, part 78, that we are no longer of the world.

How does this happen? God's word brings us conviction to change. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. And how do we know "what is the will of God?" We read it in His (Will and) Testament.

Rabbi Trail: I hate to end on a Rabbi Trail, but today I am. Everyone who comes to Shomair has a story to tell. For many of them (perhaps you, yourself) a search for truth is part of that story. It is important to find truth, but find truth in the discernment of His will and not in our judgment.

The point is to be inclusive rather than exclusive. Why should we be angry at someone who is at a different place on the Road to Jerusalem? They may even be where we used to be. Romans 14:4a Who are you to judge another's servant? We are all many parts of one body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body - though many - are one body, so also is Messiah. For in one Ruach we were all immersed into one body - whether Jewish or Greek, slave or free - and all were made to drink of one Ruach. For the body is not one part, but many.

I'm not saying to love sin, but I am saying to love people. Colossians 3:14-15 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect harmony. Let the shalom of Messiah rule in your hearts - to this shalom you were surely called in one body. Also be thankful.

So there it is: Be thankful. End RT.