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John 17:9
GaryK:
John 17:9
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours."
1: Jesus prayed for the disciples and not the world. Why?
2: Are we, as followers of Christ, to pray for the world?
Gina:
1. Who would have murdered Jesus? No one. And we'd all be out of a Savior and the scriptures wouldn't have been fulfilled.
2. He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. (Rev. 22:11)
My two cents, but it seems that if the entire world (the wicked and vile - not simply sinners -- for all have sinned save One) had been prayed for by Jesus they would have all repented (and been healed), and not one of His disciples would have learned how to love and bless their enemies because they would have not one enemy to exercise God's spiritual gifts and grow by them: "Love is patient, love is kind, etc., etc."
We do know that Jesus saves all in the end.
God causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust and God is the savior of all men, especially (not exclusively) of those that believe.
Again, it doesn't say He prayed against the world, He just wasn't praying for the world, because had He, they would have turned and repented. But He prayed for those that were nailing Him to the cross -- Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (even if some say that's a spurious passage).
That's the best I can come up with at this point. I'm sure there are others who can fill in any gaps. And if not, then the Holy Spirit will teach you all these things. :)
Extol:
Concerning them I am asking. Not concerning the world am I asking, but concerning those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine...(Concordant Literal New Testament).
Jesus was asking for a particular thing in this prayer, and it only concerned those "Thou hast given me". This is what he asked for:
Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, in which Thou hast given them to Me, that they may be one, according as We are. (v. 11).
This request did not apply to the world, because "to them the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have not been given" (Matthew 13:11). That's why Jesus was not praying for the world in this instance. I don't think we can infer that Jesus never prayed for the world, just because he didn't in this particular prayer. Nor should we assume that we are to not pray for the world.
1 I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind,
2 for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity,
3 for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God,
4 Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:1-4, CLNT).
eagle:
--- Quote ---1. Who would have murdered Jesus? No one. And we'd all be out of a Savior and the scriptures wouldn't have been fulfilled.
--- End quote ---
Reminds me of the time Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection, and
"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Matthew 16:22-23
But when Judas " ..and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people." Matt 26:47
came to give Jesus the infamous Judas kiss, Jesus said:
" Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him." Matt 26:50
Oh, the mysteries of God.
Anyway, to address the question: Jesus prayed for the disciples and not the world. Why?
I will answer it with a rhetorical question:
Why would Jesus pray for something that already is exactly the way
it is supposed to be( the world) according to Gods plan? ....unlike us
humans whom God is creating in His own image ( work in progress).
Just my two cents
Deborah-Leigh:
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1348.0.html
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