Tuesday | Week 13

As a healthcare provider, I have spent my entire career in the intensive care unit. The nature of this work is as much about watching people die, as it is about helping them defy the odds of their illness. I have the unique responsibility of telling patients and their loved ones that there is nothing more we have to offer, that it is only a matter of time before they will succumb to their condition. 

When they receive this news, a variety of responses will ensue. Terror, anger and despair can erupt through every loose seam of their soul. But others have a completely different approach. Even with tears in their eyes, some version of a peaceful, “I’m ready,” will be expressed. Regardless of the response, whatever emotion surfaces can be regarded as genuine and believable. It is hard to fake the last moments of life when you know that death is swiftly approaching. 

In John 17, Jesus has obviously internalized the reality that His moment of death is swiftly approaching. His distress is described in the Gospels. Mark records the words of Jesus as such: “My soul is very sorrowful...” (Mark 14:34, ESV). Luke tells us that He even sweat drops of blood in this moment (Luke 22:44, ESV). His humanity was subjected to the anticipation of a painful demise. 

But Jesus transcended His emotional turbulence by praying on our behalf. Like I said, it is hard to fake the last moments of life. We can believe this prayer was crafted from the depths of Christ’s soul. The pressure of His inevitable death was squeezing a pure desire in the form of passionate supplication. What He asks of the Father can be trusted as what He wants from the Father. 

This is the essence of Christ’s desire for us: Eternal life through a solid relationship with Himself and God the Father; Glory for the Father; Glory for Himself; Glory for us; That we might be preserved by God’s hand and experience the fulfillment of joy; Our sanctification—set apart as special and holy unto God; Oneness with God and oneness with one another. 

Is this your definition of what it means to follow Jesus? If not, may you adopt it as such. For it is the true reflection of Christ’s design for us.