Being Like Christ
Reflections on John 17:1-26
“O righteous
Father, the world doesn’t know you, but
I do; and the disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them and I will be in them.” John 17:25&26
Jesus had a great deal on his mind, before his death on the cross and rose from death. He went to a garden on the Mount of Olives, where he took his disciples many times, It was a place where Jesus felt close to God and could commune with him for hours. Most of the time there were few people using this garden, so to be alone with God was possible, the garden’s name—gethsemane.
As Jesus was praying in Gethsemane for his final time, he made three prayers. One for himself, to make sure that his death and resurrection is what the Father intended. He wanted to make sure it was God’s will and not his own. Second, he prayed for disciples in that age, to be steadfast in their witness and to carry on his mission when he no longer is physically connected with them. Thirdly, Jesus prays for future disciples who will come later to carry out his mission until he returns.
What Jesus’ intention was in praying like this was to encourage his disciples to be more like him. What does this really mean? Jesus wants us to be gracious and merciful to all people. People who get under our skin, be gracious to them. For people who have caused us remorse, be merciful to them. If we can be more Christlike to others, we will draw closer to God.
There is a simple formula in life that can transform us, that is: forgiving, loving, and praying for your enemies. When we practice that which Jesus lived, then we advance closer to God’s kingdom. When we put aside the differences we have developed with others over the years, then we will stop doubting the ability for God to bring all people to love one another as God loves us. So here is to your being more like Christ.
Dear Lord, in the past it has been so hard to forgive others because they hurt me. But now I realize that my actions have caused Jesus to die on the cross. May your Holy Spirit continue to make me more like you, so others will receive your free gift of eternal life. Amen.