Devotionals Detail

John 13-18

This is Holy Week – the season in the church year that is a different pace. It causes us to change our regular routine, make time for a new rhythm of devotion, so we can pause at the foot of the cross. In other words, Holy Week is intentional time for sacred space.

For any of you who have ever said goodbye to a loved one in your life, you understand that new framework of time. Your regular routine changes, you clear your schedule to be at a bedside, you pause all the to do’s to focus on one thing – being present to say your goodbyes. It is not a half-hearted devotion, it is embodied. You don’t do so begrudgingly, but because there is no other place you want to be. This is your opportunity to soak up every moment looking, touching, hearing your loved one. This is the assurance you need to express your love to them and the importance of their presence in your life.

As I have sat with many families who have said goodbye to loved ones, I always encourage them to gather together to express their feelings, particularly their gratitude. The connection of prayer in these moments unites earth and heaven. As they know their prayers are heard by their loved one, whether alert or not, family are comforted knowing God hears their prayers. In prayer, faith gives us comfort that death never has the last word: love does. Prayer reveals God’s blessing in a time of saying goodbye to this world and entering another one.

This Holy week, I invite you to read the farewell discourse in the book of John: Chapters 13-18. It is quite incredible that John gives this much time in his 21chapter gospel to Jesus saying goodbye to the disciples. It reveals the importance of saying goodbye well, particularly in our human experience of grief. Jesus comforts his disciples that he is united with the Father, that an Advocate will be with them, to not let their hearts be troubled, that they are to bear fruit and to serve one another. And Jesus prays for them.

Let that sit with you for a moment in the assurance Jesus prays for you this week. In this Holy Week as we sit at the foot of the cross, letting the meaning of Jesus life and death become real, Jesus is praying for us. Praying:

We will know we belong to God,

For our protection that we may not be lost,

That our joy may be complete,

That we be guarded from evil,

We may be sanctified in truth,

That we may be one with the Father,

That we may be with Jesus, and his love may be in us (John 17:10-25).

This week, I hope you will make the time to receive this this blessing of Jesus praying for you, whether through attending Maundy Thursday, Good Friday services, or walking our Stations of the Cross Labyrinth. As we make the time in our schedules to devote to grieving together at the foot of the cross, may we be comforted by Jesus prayer for us all.