There are not many passages in Scripture that are a conversation between Jesus and God, but this one is so important. He’s giving us a clear indication of what his ministry was about. It was about putting people not in touch with information, but the presence of God. He longed for them to enter into a similar relationship that he had with God. And that was one of intimacy where everything that Jesus has was from God and everything that Jesus gives is from God. They are one.

And in a way, it’s really hard for us to understand that we have that inheritance. God can dwell in our humanity as imperfect as it is, and manifest himself. That’s the message of Jesus. We are to live as he lived, to minister as he ministered. And we have confidence because Christ himself says to us, I’m praying for you. I’m praying that you will allow the divinity in you to do the work you were meant to accomplish.

Closing prayer. Father, keep us from reducing the beauty and the fullness of your message to something that involves earning our salvation by doing what we’re supposed to do. Because we’re told to open us to this amazing mystery that you are calling us to carry your presence, not just information about you, but your very presence in, into the lives of those who are ready, open, receptive. It’s a work that we have total confidence in because it is you who’ve empowered us to do it. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.