Usually before a communion service I look through the scriptures to find something about this service I had not noticed before. A strange thing happened. I forgot. But I did take a look see after the service. And I did find something very interesting that did happen after the first "last supper."
I first noticed it in Luke. When Jesus repeats something, it usually means, "pay attention."
KJV Luke 22:40
40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
KJV Luke 22:46
46. And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
I wandered what Jesus had meant for them to pray for. As usual, the answer is usually given just before Jesus makes a statement that means, "pay attention." I have noticed most often that Jesus repeats Himself to the disciples many times. And usually He is testing them to see if they had gotten the point to the parable or sermon He had just given. In the case of Luke, Jesus was just giving them important information on the last days.
I also went and checked the other books of the Gospel.
KJV Matthew 26:40-41
40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
KJV Mark 14:38
38. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Now after checking the first 3 books I really needed to know what Jesus wanted them to pray and watch for. I was certain that it would have resulted in something pertaining to the last days. That would make the most sense regarding the statement, "watch."
But then I turned to the book of John. John has always had a unique style of writing. Sort of filling in the blanks that the other 3 had missed. I don't know what it is about John, but he has a way of getting directly to the point.
Right before John writes about the betrayal in the garden John writes this prayer from Jesus.
SIM John 17:1-26
John 17
1. After Jesus said these things, he looked up to heaven and said, ``Father, the time has come. Bring glory to Your Son, so that Your Son may bring glory to You.
2. You have given him authority over all mankind. To each one that You have given the Son You will give eternal life.
3. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one whom You sent.
4. I have brought You glory on the earth. I finished the work which You gave me to do.
5. Now, Father, give me glory--the glory I had with You when I was with You before the world existed.
6. ``I have revealed Your name to men. You gave these men to me from the world. They were Your people and You gave them to me. They have obeyed Your teaching.
7. They now know that everything You have given me comes from You.
8. I have given them the words which You gave me. They have received them. They knew I really did come from You. They believed that You sent me.
9. ``I am praying for them, not for the world. I am praying for those men You have given me, because they belong to You.
10. Everything that is mine is Yours. Everything that is Yours is mine, too. In them I have received glory.
11. I am not in the world anymore, but my apostles are in the world. I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given me. May they be united, as we are.
12. When I was with them, I was always keeping them in Your name, the name You have given me. I have protected them. Not one of them was lost--only the child of destruction. The Scripture must come true.
13. Now I am coming to You. I am saying these things in the world, so that these men may have my complete joy in them.
14. I have given them Your message. The people of the world hated them, because they don't come from this world. I am not from this world, either.
15. I do not pray that You take them out of the world--just keep them from the evil one.
16. I don't come from the world; they don't come from the world, either.
17. Your message is the truth. May the truth make them holy!
18. I sent them into the world, just as You sent me into the world.
19. ``I keep myself holy for them, so that they will be holy by the truth.
20. ``I pray not only for my apostles, but also for the people who believe in me through their teaching.
21. May all of them be united, just as You are in me and I am in You. I pray that they will be in us, so that the people of the world may believe that You sent me.
22. I have given them the glory that You have given me. May they be united, as we are;
23. I in them and You in me. May they be completely united, so that the people of the world will know that You sent me and that You loved them as You loved me.
24. ``Father, You loved me before the world was created. You have given me glory. I want them to see it. I want them to be with me, where I will be.
25. ``Righteous Father, the people of the world do not know You, but I know You. These men here know that You sent me.
26. I revealed Your name to them and I will reveal it. I want them to have Your love in them, the same love that You have for me. I want to be in them, too.''
Wow!!! A love letter from Jesus. I usually use the KJV but these words in the SIM cut right through all the thee's and thou's to words I usually translate in my head as I read.
What a message. But what does it have to do with the end times? Everything! Read it again, or at least the last 4 verses. Where are we going without knowing the love of Jesus and of the Father? And what do we hope to accomplish with out being one in Christ and the Father? Now isn't that what the last days are really all about? The latter rain? Winning souls for Jesus in record numbers? Can't you see it happening right now today?