The Pneuma Project

Each week I hope to post the Scriptures we will be discussing on Sunday evenings. Please feel free (or even obligated) to post some of your own thoughts here. If you are unable to be a part of our gathering on Sunday evenings please consider including your insights, questions, and comments here. Think of it as a virtual invitation into our discussion. All are welcome, and no point of view is excluded.

This past weekend we looked at the first part of what I think is one of the most interesting parts of Scripture, Jesus’ prayer in John 17. This week we are continuing that process as we discuss Jesus praying for His followers:

John 17:13-26

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

A few observations and questions jump out to me. Obviously, Jesus’ desire is that His followers remain in the world, but He makes a very interesting statement when He says “As You sent me into the world, I have sent them”. How was Jesus sent? And what the heck does it mean to be sanctified and why/how did Jesus do that to Himself?
Jesus also makes it pretty clear how His followers are to be know. How are we (His followers) doing with that? What can we do differently to be more know by our love, unity, and connection with Jesus?

Here are some additional Scriptures that really got me thinking about those questions (and a whole lot more). I’d love to read your comments on how they intersect (if at all) with Jesus’ prayer and how His followers are called to live. Don’t be shy, post a comment.

John 3:16-21
Matthew 5:13-16
John 12:44-50
Matthew 13:24-43
2 Corinthians 5:16-21