Friday's Bit of Discipleship
God is selfless and humble, and his humility knows no bounds. Jesus did not draw a line and say, "this far, but no farther." Some of us may fear humility because we know we will only be willing to go so far. Not Jesus. He was not concerned about protecting his image - only about saving lost people. What a lesson we need to learn from that!
page 38, The Prideful Soul's Guide to Humility, Fontnet/Jones
Discipleship Prayer of Humility
God, Your selflessness and humility is embodied by Your Son, Jesus Christ, "the exact representation of Your Being", as Hebrews 1:3 put it. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross and has now been exalted to Your right hand, glorified body and all. Now we, Your children, are the body of Christ in this world. Let us learn – let me learn especially – how to serve as the Lord Jesus served: humbly and selflessly. Amen.
MISSIO DEI Discipleship Point
What is the significance of Christ's prayer and a praying Missio Dei church?
John 17:17-19
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake
I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. —Jesus
Christ prayed the well-known “Prayer in Gethsemane” the night He was betrayed. It’s also important to realize that the prayer of John 17 – the whole chapter – was His prayer the night before He was crucified. In His High Priestly prayer, Christ prayed for Himself and His mission, He prayed for His disciples and their participation in His mission, and He prayed for all believers and those “who will believe” through their being sent. The “just as” is an important conjunction in John 17 and elsewhere in Scripture. Just as Christ was sent, He sends us. Just as Christ loves, He directs us to love. Just as Christ serves, He directs us to serve. Just as Christ prayed, He directs us to pray for ourselves, our receiving and participating in His mission, so that all believers and unbelievers may know Christ’s love and be saved.
For further study, see the Lord’s Prayer in Luther’s Small Catechism. And review the following verses: Luke 10:1-2, John 17:1, John 17:20, Philippians 4:6, John 16:23, 1 Timothy 2:1
Discipleship Prayer
Lord, teach us to pray. Amen.
~ Jesus’ original disciples. Luke 11:1