Tag: John 17:20-23
Bestowed blessing!
Scripture reading for June 28: Psalms 128-134
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3
Psalm 133 is the next to the last of the songs of ascents and speaks of an important aspect of life in the family and city of God. Living together with others in a state of unity and harmony is not something that comes naturally. Each person has different desires, likes, attitudes, temperaments and ideas of what makes for a peaceful life. Selfishness causes fighting, strife and complaining. Unity is an elusive quality in any home, community, state, or nation. It has been impossible in most!
The psalm states that it is good and pleasant when brothers live together in unity. Jesus picked twelve disciples and they had a hard time keeping peace. They loved to argue and dispute among themselves about who would be the greatest disciple. Jesus taught them that the way to keep peace and unity was to take the lowest place and to find joy in serving. At the Last Supper, He took a towel and washed their feet and taught them by example that humility and serving brings unity. (John 13:12-17) Later that same night, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be kept in complete unity that the world might believe that Jesus was sent by the Father! (John 17:20-23)
The unity of brothers is likened to the anointing of the High Priest. Oil was poured on his head as a symbol of blessing from above. The oil would flow from the head down to beard and drip onto the collar of the robe. This anointing oil brought the enablement of the Spirit of God to pray and intercede on behalf of the people. Jesus Christ is our High Priest and intercessor! He was anointed by His Father and is praying for us now. That anointing to pray and walk in peace flows from our High Priest today.
The last analogy is that of dew dropping on Mt. Hermon. Dew is moisture that comes in the cool of the evening on grass, rocks, and trees. It brings refreshing and helps all life prepare for another day. Unity is like the dew from heaven refreshing us each evening as we rest in God’s community of unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Their perfect unity permeates our souls and brings blessing–life forever more!
The blessedness of unity!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Psalm 130-134
Key Scriptures: Psalm 133:1-3 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.”
As the twelve tribes assembled, they became one family before the Lord. This psalm decreed the blessing of unity upon the brothers as they gathered to worship in God’s presence. The ultimate blessing that the Lord bestowed was eternal life in His presence! Sounds like what Jesus Christ prayed in his final High Priestly prayer before the cross!
The blessing of unity: “For Your granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” . . . “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 know that You sent Me and have loved them even as you have loved Me.” (John 17:2-3, 20-23)
Unity with the Trinity!
Scripture reading for April 28th: John 17
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 17:20-23 “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.”
Jesus Christ prayed for Himself, His immediate disciples, and then for all who would believe on Him as a result of their preaching the message of Christ! He prayed for us and it is written down! The central focus of that prayer is that we would be in unity with the Father and Jesus and each other! This unity would be a witness to the world enabling many to believe that the Father sent Jesus Christ to save them. We must do our part to maintain the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace with our brothers and with the Lord and our Father!
Observations for over-comers: Disciples who over-come the world maintain a close bond with the Trinity and seek unity with the Body of Christ, His Church. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! . . .It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133, 1, 3)