Our times are in his hands.
Our times lie firmly in the hands of God, and we can trust that he will handle them well.
Lament
In his sin and brokenness David cried out to God and received mercy. He was saved from Gods wrath through the power of the Lords covenantal love. When God seems silent and distant, we can cry out to him with honest prayers and rest on his mercy. Christians can come to their loving father knowing he loves to answer his people's prayer.
Benediction
Jesus wants the disciples to rely on God for victory over Sin. As Christians we have been forgiven, all our sins are washed away, and yet this victory does not mean we will not struggle to live our lives as God desires us to. The devil is still at large stealing killing and destroying. We must learn to turn to God and trust that he will give us victory over Satan and the evil inclinations of our own hearts.
Contrition
Jesus told his disciples to be penitent and merciful because they are forgiven. This applies just as much to us today as it did to them. We have been forgiven an unimaginably large debt and if God can forgive us we cannot hold others sins against them.
Supplication
God is not a disinterested watchmaker that wound up the world and let it go. He is a loving father who is intimately involved in everything that happens in his world. He is also a God that loves and cares for his people. Because of this truth Jesus wants his disciples to learn to live contentedly in the present relying on a good God to provide for their daily needs.
Adoration
Prayer is an act of worship, and it should begin with adoration. In this passage from Christs sermon on the mount, Jesus continues his instruction on prayer. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that Effective prayer begins with adoration, and this is true for us today. As Christians we should begin our prayers by reflecting on the holiness of God and the power of his coming kingdom.
The Heart of Prayer
Jesus wants his disciples to know that God covets humble and persistent prayer from his people. Prayer is not about worldly power or manipulation, magic incantations, or ritual it is about a constant desire to communicate with God.
Lord Teach us to Pray
Jesus want his disciples to understand that Prayer is not about manipulating God, is about conforming their hearts to his will. When we pray we are not changing Gods mind, we are changing ours.
Restored!
Christ’s final ministry in the book of John was a ministry of reconciliation. He used a simple meal to restore broken relationships and to prepare these men. When we come into the presence of Christ he offers, reconciliation, purpose and hope through the invitation to follow him.
Finished!
John wants his readers to understand that in death Jesus has fully accomplished his earthly mission to redeem mankind. As Christians we must never fall into the trap of taking the sacrifice of Jesus for granted. We are free but we must constantly remind ourselves that our freedom came at a terrible price. We are saved by grace and while grace is free it is not cheap!
Rejected!
Jesus is not on trial; Pilot and the Jewish authorities are and the verdict for all time is guilty. These men however do not bear the guilt alone. We are just as much to blame because we sent Christ to the cross, our sin, our rebellion all necessitated his sacrifice. When we reflect on the passion and death of Jesus we must always remember that we put him there.
