Wednesday, 8 May 2024

The Upper Room Discourse 91

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John 17:24a Father, I also want those You have given Me to be with Me.

How unfortunate! As we approach the end of Yeshua's prayer, it would be easy to miss His passion, if all we do is read a few of His recorded words. Yeshua continues to address His Father (our God) with the simple words, "I also want." The Greek word is (Strong's G2309) transliterated, "Theló," Phonetic Spelling:(eth-el'-o,) Definition and usage: I will, wish, desire, am willing, intend, or design.

I'm sensing, in Yeshua's prayer, much more than a "want." I might want a cup of coffee. Yeshua is expressing His passionate desire to have us with Him. Other word-studies indicate this is so much more than "want" also. Here is the Cognate: 2309 thélō (a primitive verb, NAS dictionary) - to desire (wish, will), wanting what is best (optimal) because someone is ready and willing to act.

Yeshua HAS to have us with Him. This is why it is His prayer. Togetherness is crucial. It is the best possible outcome. Yeshua is expressing the highest redemptive value of His life. This is why He came into the world. His passionate desire is to have us together with Him, where He is. Want? Really? What is want?

Another word-study adds ... 2309 /thélō ("to desire, wish") is commonly used of the Lord extending His "best-offer" to the believer - wanting (desiring) to birth His persuasion, (faith) in them which also empowers, manifests His presence.

Words have creative power. This is especially true of Yeshua's words. John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and apart from Him nothing was made that has come into being. Yeshua's words have the creative power to create the reality about which He is praying. It is His passion that we will be with Him.

Dan Juster, my rabbi, likes to say, "In every situation, we should seek the outcome with the greatest redemptive value." That's what Yeshua is expressing here. His desire is to have us together with Him. That would produce the greatest redemptive value.

Let's see how this develops further next time.