Consecrated in the Truth

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 20:28-38 ~~~ Psalm 68 ~~~ John 17:11b-19 ~~~

 

Paul prepares his followers for his certain departure.

He warns them that they will have trials and hardships; that is part of life.

He reminds them to stay strong...

be vigilant

 

Paul gives them over to the Lord for safe keeping.

God has actually always been the one who was providing for them;

it just appeared to them to be coming from Paul.

God was indeed using Paul as his vehicle in spreading his message.

 

I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.

 

Paul is emphasizing the power of the words of Jesus...

words that can inspire, strengthen, heal...

Words they should continue to hold close to their hearts.

Words they should let permeate into the whole being.

If they do as Paul is suggesting,

 they will no longer need him to show the way.

He reminds them of one last important truth...

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Giving is better than receiving,

 even though we all enjoy receiving occasionally.

 

 

In the Gospel today we see Jesus preparing to leave and praying for the community.

Jesus is praying through the Father for all of us.

This is an intercessory prayer from Jesus for us.

 

Whenever you are plagued with thoughts that you are forgotten;

remember this passage from the Bible.

Jesus prayed for you.

 

In his prayer he states how he protected and cared for the people.

Jesus brought to earth the words of God the Father.

Now he is asking the Father to bless us in a special manner...

to consecrate us...more exactly to consecrate us in truth.

 

Consecrated to be used as God sees fit to use us.

We are no longer here just for ourselves we are here for God's use.

Set apart for truth.

This is overwhelming if we do not allow the words,

his words, to reign in our hearts.

 

'...Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.'

 

We are given a special consecration

to go forth proclaiming the sacred words of Jesus.

For when we use his words to give to others we are giving him as well.

The Father and the Son are one with the Word.

As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.

 

Just as God the Father sent forth Jesus to spread the good news,

Jesus now sends us to follow in his footsteps and do likewise.

 

We do not belong to the world;

we belong to God in heaven...Jesus left us the plan to join him there.

 

The Easter Blessing of consecration in the truth.

We have been set apart by Jesus for God the Father.

Let us rejoice and be glad!