Devo John 17:20-26

20”My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in
me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you
have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be
one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete
unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you
have loved me. 24”Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where
I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me
before the creation of the world. 25”Righteous Father, though the world does
not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made
you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love
you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Meditation
1. Read the passage slowly, knowing that this is Jesus praying for me (“those
who will believe in me”). Read it again; substitute my name when it comes
to them or they. If needed, read it one more time.
2. What am I most excited about Jesus praying for me or saying about me?
Why?
3. Thank Jesus for praying for me. Talk to him about the prayer phrases I found
most meaningful. Pray Jesus’ prayer for his followers alive today in the world.
4. Walk around today with the sense that Jesus is in me and that this was
always his plan – to be in me.

Personal Note:
Jesus prays for me all the time.  He prayed this prayer before his death and resurrection.  He is praying for me in the midst of all my joy and sorrow.

Devo: John 10:1-5,14-18

1”I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but
climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the
gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and
the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep
follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger;
in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s
voice.”
14”I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as
the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They
too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The
reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority
to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from
my Father.”

Meditation
1. Read these words of Jesus aloud slowly as if he were explaining this to me
personally. Notice that the repeated word “know”. Jesus knows his sheep;
they know Jesus. The Father knows Jesus; Jesus knows the Father.
2. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does the following for the sheep. Which of these
do I most need for Jesus to do for me today?
 call his own sheep by name
 lead them out
 know his own sheep
 put the sheep before himself, sacrificing himself, if necessary
 gather and bring other sheep
3. The sheep recognize Jesus’ voice and respond by following him and knowing
him. How do I need to respond to Jesus today?
4. Pray: Talk to Jesus about what I need. Especially talk about my capacity to
recognize his voice. Ask for his help.

Personal Note:
My leadership as a pastor depends solely on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I would like my friends to pray for my desire to draw close to Jesus and recognize his voice.