It’s the last night that Jesus is with his disciples. Dinner is done and Judas has left the building. All that Jesus has time left for is a prayer.

Jesus’ prayer reminds me of a little girl I know. When she colors, she keeps all the markers close to herself. When she plays, she keeps a pile of toys on her lap. When she rides, she rides on one tricycle and pulls another along by hand. I don’t know if this tendency to hold so tightly to things makes her feel protected, or powerful, or comfortable, or special. I do know that she often plays alone.

In this prayer, Jesus recalls that God’s people were all given to him, and that he gave those beloved people right back to God. He then prays that the people he’s about to leave behind will have the same spirit of oneness that binds himself and God. Jesus understands that protection, power, peace, and love don’t come from things; they come from oneness with God and each other.

By Julie Ball from D365