Friday, 2 February 2024

The Upper Room Discourse 69

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John 17:11 I am no longer in the world; but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.

Why does Yeshua pray, "Keep them ...?" He is praying that God will "Shomair" His people. His words go back to the beginning of the Aaronic Benediction. Numbers 6:24 Adonai bless you and keep you!

And it is all about the "name". I put "name" in quotes, because a name is more than a label. The reality of a "name" is a reputation. A name is based on being able to "keep your word." God puts much emphasis on us keeping our word.

Numbers 30:2 Whenever a man makes a vow to Adonai or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he is not to violate his word but do everything coming out of his mouth.

Rabbi Trail: At first, I searched the internet for this verse by typing a search for "scripture be sure to do all you say you will do." You know what I got as a result of that search? A bunch of gobbly-gook about grace. One of the first verses to pop up was Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua. But, Romans 8:1 leads us to Romans 8:4 so that the requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Ruach. Grace does not enable us to sin, grace enables us to obey God unto righteousness. End RT.

I brought this up (a name or reputation) because God holds Himself to the righteous standard of His word. He also fulfills all His vows. Psalm 93:5 Your testimonies are very sure. Holiness befits Your House, Adonai, for endless days. And especially this ...

Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward Your holy Temple and praise Your Name for Your love and Your faithfulness. For You - magnified above all Your Name and Your word. David Stern, z"l, (z"l is a Jewish symbol meaning "may he rest in peace") said it better in the Complete Jewish Bible ... Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your grace and truth; for you have made your word greater than the whole of your reputation. CJB

Yeshua has ordained through His prayer that we will be a "kept" people. That means we are watched over, protected and defended. There is a connotation in the Hebrew that we will be a "policed" people. I like the idea of God guarding me, how about you?

And the purpose of all this protection? That we will be one with Him! As we will see, Yeshua puts a premium on oneness. Yet, men have made that oneness scarce with our many divisions. The basis of oneness is humility. Yeshua is about to enter glory through humility.

Jacob 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of Adonai, and He shall lift you up.