The Upper Room Daily Reflections: the daily words of wisdom and faith of The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 7 May 2018 "Beads As Tools for Prayer"Today’s Reflection:
PRAYER BEADS are a tool for prayer. Just as a hammer and nails help us construct a house, so prayer beads help us construct a life of connection with God. The beads are not the end; they are the means to an end, which is communion with God.I want to emphasize that prayer beads are just one of many tools to assist in prayer. Not everyone needs a prayer tool. Many people feel comfortable with prayer and have developed ways of praying that work well for them. If you are among them, I invite you to continue reading to learn more about the history and use of this ancient Christian prayer practice.
However, many people struggle with prayer. Their minds wander; they get bored; they wonder if they are being heard; they struggle with what to say. Prayer beads can help them develop rich lives of prayer, deepening their connection with God. (Kristen E. Vincent, A Bead and a Prayer)
“From page 16 of A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads by Kristen E. Vincent. Copyright © 2013 by Kristen E. Vincent. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
“http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Have you ever used beads while praying? What was that experience like for you? Find out more about making beads and praying with them.
Today’s Scripture: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26, NRSV)
This Week: pray for those who feel left out.
This week we remember: John of Avila (May 10).
John of AvilaMay 10
Born Jewish, John of Avila became one of the most outstanding and charismatic preachers of his time. He lived in sixteenth-century Spain during the time of the Inquisition.
John studied both law and theology before being ordained in 1525. His powerful preaching in Andalusia, Spain, converted many people to Christianity. In 1531 he was brought up before the Inquisition and jailed for a short time for preaching that the rich could not be saved.
John's letters, many of which have survived, make John a treasured writer of spirituality. John knew many other spiritual greats during his lifetime, including John of God, Teresa of Avila, and Ignatius Loyola.
If John had taken the Spiritual Types Test he probably would have been a Sage. St. John's feast day is May 10.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 13 May 2018
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
Acts 1:15 During this period, when the group of believers numbered about 120, Kefa stood up and addressed his fellow-believers: 16 “Brothers, the Ruach HaKodesh spoke in advance through David about Y’hudah, and these words of the Tanakh had to be fulfilled. He was guide for those who arrested Yeshua — 17 he was one of us and had been assigned a part in our work.”
21 Therefore, one of the men who have been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us, 22 from the time Yochanan was immersing people until the day Yeshua was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
23 They nominated two men — Yosef Bar-Sabba, surnamed Justus, and Mattityahu. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over the work and the office of emissary that Y’hudah abandoned to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they drew lots to decide between the two, and the lot fell to Mattityahu. So he was added to the eleven emissaries.
Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
1 John 5:9 If we accept human witness, God’s witness is stronger, because it is the witness which God has given about his Son. 10 Those who keep trusting in the Son of God have this witness in them. Those who do not keep trusting God have made him out to be a liar, because they have not trusted in the witness which God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the witness: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Those who have the Son have the life; those who do not have the Son of God do not have the life. 13 I have written you these things so that you may know that you have eternal life — you who keep trusting in the person and power of the Son of God.
John 17:6 “I made your name known to the people you gave me out of the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8 because the words you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them. They have really come to know that I came from you, and they have come to trust that you sent me.
9 “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given to me, because they are yours. 10 Indeed, all I have is yours, and all you have is mine, and in them I have been glorified. 11 Now I am no longer in the world. They are in the world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are. 12 When I was with them, I guarded them by the power of your name, which you have given to me; yes, I kept watch over them; and not one of them was destroyed (except the one meant for destruction, so that the Tanakh might be fulfilled). 13 But now, I am coming to you; and I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.
14 “I have given them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world. 15 I don’t ask you to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.(Complete Jewish Bible).
Acts 1:15-17
Verse 15
[15] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
The number of persons together — Who were together in the upper room.
were a hundred and twenty — But he had undoubtedly many more in other places; of whom more than five hundred saw him at once after his resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Verse 16
[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Psalms 41:9., 21-26
Verse 21
[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
All the time that the Lord Jesus was going in and out — That is, conversing familiarly: over us - as our Master. Psalms 109:8.
Verse 22
[22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
To be a witness with us of his resurrection — And of the circumstances which preceded and followed it.
Verse 23
[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they appointed two — So far the faithful could go by consulting together, but no further. Therefore here commenced the proper use of the lot, whereby a matter of importance, which cannot be determined by any ordinary method, is committed to the Divine decision.
Verse 25
[25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Fell — By his transgression - Some time before his death: to go to his own place - That which his crimes had deserved, and which he had chosen for himself, far from the other apostles, in the region of death.
Psalm 1
Verse 1
[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living.
Standeth — Which notes a more settled abode in it.
Way — In their manner of conversation.
Seat — Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses.
Scornful — Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
Verse 2
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
Verse 3
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
Verse 4
[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Ungodly — Their condition is far different.
Chaff — They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
Verse 5
[5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Not stand — Not endure the trial.
Judgment — In the great and general judgment of the world.
Verse 6
[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them.
Perish — All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them.
1 John 5:9-13
Verse 9
[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
If we receive the testimony of men — As we do continually, and must do in a thousand instances.
The testimony of God is greater — Of higher authority, and much more worthy to be received; namely, this very testimony which God the Father, together with the Word and the Spirit, hath testified of the Son, as the Saviour of the world.
Verse 10
[10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the testimony — The dear evidence of this, in himself: he that believeth not God, in this, hath made him a liar; because he supposes that to be false which God has expressly testified.
Verse 11
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
And this is the sum of that testimony, that God hath given us a title to, and the real beginning of, eternal life; and that this is purchased by, and treasured up in, his Son, who has all the springs and the fulness of it in himself, to communicate to his body, the church, first in grace and then in glory.
Verse 12
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
It plainly follows, he that hath the Son - Living and reigning in him by faith. Hath this life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not this life - Hath no part or lot therein. In the former clause, the apostle says simply, the Son; because believers know him: in the latter, the Son of God; that unbelievers may know how great a blessing they fall short of.
Verse 13
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
These things have I written — In the introduction, 1 John 1:4, he said, I write: now, in the close, I have written. That ye may know - With a fuller and stronger assurance, that ye have eternal life.
John 17:6-19
Verse 6
[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
I have manifested thy name — All thy attributes; and in particular thy paternal relation to believers; to the men whom thou hast given me - The apostles, and so John 17:12.
They were thine — By creation, and by descent from Abraham.
And thou hast given them me — By giving them faith in what I have spoken. So John 17:9.
Verse 7
[7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Now they know that all things — Which I have done and spoken, are of thee - And consequently right and true.
Verse 8
[8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
They have received them — By faith.
Verse 9
[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
I pray not for the world — Not in these petitions, which are adapted to the state of believers only. (He prays for the world at John 17:21,23, that they may believe - That they may know God hath sent him.) This no more proves that our Lord did not pray for the world, both before and afterward, than his praying for the apostles alone, John 17:6-19, proves that he did not pray for them also which shall believe through their word, John 17:20.
Verse 10
[10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
All things that are mine are thine, and that are thine are mine — These are very high and strong expressions, too grand for any mere creature to use; as implying that all things whatsoever, inclusive of the Divine nature, perfections, and operations, are the common property of the Father and the Son. And this is the original ground of that peculiar property, which both the Father and the Son have in the persons who were given to Christ as Mediator; according to what is said in the close of the verse, of his being glorified by them; namely, believing in him, and so acknowledging his glory.
Verse 11
[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Keep them through thy name — Thy power, mercy, wisdom, that they may be one - with us and with each other; one body, separate from the world: as we are - By resemblance to us, though not equality.
Verse 12
[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Those whom thou hast given me I have guarded, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition — So one even of them whom God had given him is lost. So far was even that decree from being unchangeable! That the Scripture might be fulfilled - That is, whereby the Scripture was fulfilled. The son of perdition signifies one that deservedly perishes; as a son of death, 2 Samuel 12:5; children of hell, Matthew 23:15, and children of wrath, Ephesians 2:3, signify persons justly obnoxious to death, hell, wrath. Psalms 109:8.
Verse 13
[13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
In the world — That is, before I leave the world.
My joy — The joy I feel at going to the Father.
Verse 15
[15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
That thou wouldest take them out of the world — Not yet: but that thou wouldest keep them from the evil one - Who reigns therein.
Verse 17
[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sanctify — Consecrate them by the anointing of thy Spirit to their office, and perfect them in holiness, by means of thy word.
Verse 19
[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
I sanctify myself — I devote myself as a victim, to be sacrificed.(John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
Acts 1:15 During this period, when the group of believers numbered about 120, Kefa stood up and addressed his fellow-believers: 16 “Brothers, the Ruach HaKodesh spoke in advance through David about Y’hudah, and these words of the Tanakh had to be fulfilled. He was guide for those who arrested Yeshua — 17 he was one of us and had been assigned a part in our work.”
21 Therefore, one of the men who have been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us, 22 from the time Yochanan was immersing people until the day Yeshua was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
23 They nominated two men — Yosef Bar-Sabba, surnamed Justus, and Mattityahu. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over the work and the office of emissary that Y’hudah abandoned to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they drew lots to decide between the two, and the lot fell to Mattityahu. So he was added to the eleven emissaries.
Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
1 John 5:9 If we accept human witness, God’s witness is stronger, because it is the witness which God has given about his Son. 10 Those who keep trusting in the Son of God have this witness in them. Those who do not keep trusting God have made him out to be a liar, because they have not trusted in the witness which God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the witness: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Those who have the Son have the life; those who do not have the Son of God do not have the life. 13 I have written you these things so that you may know that you have eternal life — you who keep trusting in the person and power of the Son of God.
John 17:6 “I made your name known to the people you gave me out of the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8 because the words you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them. They have really come to know that I came from you, and they have come to trust that you sent me.
9 “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given to me, because they are yours. 10 Indeed, all I have is yours, and all you have is mine, and in them I have been glorified. 11 Now I am no longer in the world. They are in the world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are. 12 When I was with them, I guarded them by the power of your name, which you have given to me; yes, I kept watch over them; and not one of them was destroyed (except the one meant for destruction, so that the Tanakh might be fulfilled). 13 But now, I am coming to you; and I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.
14 “I have given them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world. 15 I don’t ask you to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness, so that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the truth.(Complete Jewish Bible).
Acts 1:15-17
Verse 15
[15] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
The number of persons together — Who were together in the upper room.
were a hundred and twenty — But he had undoubtedly many more in other places; of whom more than five hundred saw him at once after his resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Verse 16
[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Psalms 41:9., 21-26
Verse 21
[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
All the time that the Lord Jesus was going in and out — That is, conversing familiarly: over us - as our Master. Psalms 109:8.
Verse 22
[22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
To be a witness with us of his resurrection — And of the circumstances which preceded and followed it.
Verse 23
[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
And they appointed two — So far the faithful could go by consulting together, but no further. Therefore here commenced the proper use of the lot, whereby a matter of importance, which cannot be determined by any ordinary method, is committed to the Divine decision.
Verse 25
[25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Fell — By his transgression - Some time before his death: to go to his own place - That which his crimes had deserved, and which he had chosen for himself, far from the other apostles, in the region of death.
Psalm 1
Verse 1
[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living.
Standeth — Which notes a more settled abode in it.
Way — In their manner of conversation.
Seat — Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses.
Scornful — Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
Verse 2
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
Verse 3
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
Verse 4
[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Ungodly — Their condition is far different.
Chaff — They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
Verse 5
[5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Not stand — Not endure the trial.
Judgment — In the great and general judgment of the world.
Verse 6
[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them.
Perish — All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them.
1 John 5:9-13
Verse 9
[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
If we receive the testimony of men — As we do continually, and must do in a thousand instances.
The testimony of God is greater — Of higher authority, and much more worthy to be received; namely, this very testimony which God the Father, together with the Word and the Spirit, hath testified of the Son, as the Saviour of the world.
Verse 10
[10] He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the testimony — The dear evidence of this, in himself: he that believeth not God, in this, hath made him a liar; because he supposes that to be false which God has expressly testified.
Verse 11
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
And this is the sum of that testimony, that God hath given us a title to, and the real beginning of, eternal life; and that this is purchased by, and treasured up in, his Son, who has all the springs and the fulness of it in himself, to communicate to his body, the church, first in grace and then in glory.
Verse 12
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
It plainly follows, he that hath the Son - Living and reigning in him by faith. Hath this life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not this life - Hath no part or lot therein. In the former clause, the apostle says simply, the Son; because believers know him: in the latter, the Son of God; that unbelievers may know how great a blessing they fall short of.
Verse 13
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
These things have I written — In the introduction, 1 John 1:4, he said, I write: now, in the close, I have written. That ye may know - With a fuller and stronger assurance, that ye have eternal life.
John 17:6-19
Verse 6
[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
I have manifested thy name — All thy attributes; and in particular thy paternal relation to believers; to the men whom thou hast given me - The apostles, and so John 17:12.
They were thine — By creation, and by descent from Abraham.
And thou hast given them me — By giving them faith in what I have spoken. So John 17:9.
Verse 7
[7] Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Now they know that all things — Which I have done and spoken, are of thee - And consequently right and true.
Verse 8
[8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
They have received them — By faith.
Verse 9
[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
I pray not for the world — Not in these petitions, which are adapted to the state of believers only. (He prays for the world at John 17:21,23, that they may believe - That they may know God hath sent him.) This no more proves that our Lord did not pray for the world, both before and afterward, than his praying for the apostles alone, John 17:6-19, proves that he did not pray for them also which shall believe through their word, John 17:20.
Verse 10
[10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
All things that are mine are thine, and that are thine are mine — These are very high and strong expressions, too grand for any mere creature to use; as implying that all things whatsoever, inclusive of the Divine nature, perfections, and operations, are the common property of the Father and the Son. And this is the original ground of that peculiar property, which both the Father and the Son have in the persons who were given to Christ as Mediator; according to what is said in the close of the verse, of his being glorified by them; namely, believing in him, and so acknowledging his glory.
Verse 11
[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Keep them through thy name — Thy power, mercy, wisdom, that they may be one - with us and with each other; one body, separate from the world: as we are - By resemblance to us, though not equality.
Verse 12
[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Those whom thou hast given me I have guarded, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition — So one even of them whom God had given him is lost. So far was even that decree from being unchangeable! That the Scripture might be fulfilled - That is, whereby the Scripture was fulfilled. The son of perdition signifies one that deservedly perishes; as a son of death, 2 Samuel 12:5; children of hell, Matthew 23:15, and children of wrath, Ephesians 2:3, signify persons justly obnoxious to death, hell, wrath. Psalms 109:8.
Verse 13
[13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
In the world — That is, before I leave the world.
My joy — The joy I feel at going to the Father.
Verse 15
[15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
That thou wouldest take them out of the world — Not yet: but that thou wouldest keep them from the evil one - Who reigns therein.
Verse 17
[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sanctify — Consecrate them by the anointing of thy Spirit to their office, and perfect them in holiness, by means of thy word.
Verse 19
[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
I sanctify myself — I devote myself as a victim, to be sacrificed.(John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
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