Jesus prayed, “I have revealed Your name to the men You gave me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that all things You have given to me are from You because the words that You gave me I have given them. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from You. John 17:6-8
My words…
Praise
The Bible on my shelf contains around 800,000 words of which only around 2,000 were spoken from Your lips while you walked the roads and sailed the seas of Palestine. Although few in number, Your words have been the most quoted, studied, dissected, disputed, and revered of any words ever spoken. You knew this before the words left Your mouth. Incredible to ponder. For me, I not only reflect on the words I see on the page, but I wonder about the words that didn’t get recorded. What questions did you ask the teachers of the law in the temple when You were only twelve? Did you ever tire of the hundreds of questions Your disciples must have asked you over the course of three years? “What’s heaven like?” “What’s up with Satan?” “Are You the suffering servant Isaiah writes about?” “How much longer will we live under the boot of Rome?” “Hey, can you turn this stone into bread? I’m hungry.” Every word You spoke was a priceless gemstone. Your sentences were treasures, stored in the minds and hearts of those on whose ears they fell. They carried their treasure around with them like I carry my bible. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, understood the importance of sitting at Your feet so she would not let Your words fall to the ground unheard. I have no doubt Your words, “Feed my sheep,” and so many others emboldened and sustained Peter’s spirit until the day he was martyred. While in exile, John’s soul was nourished by the prayers to the Father You spoke in his presence. Did Your words comfort James as he awaited the strike of the executioner’s axe? Your words are more than just words. They’re life.
Prayer for me
I need to treasure Your words as the disciples did. I am, after all, a disciple. My eyes have moved over Your words on the page for decades, and therein lies my problem. I have read them so many times, I do not pause and allow them to illuminate the corners of my spirit. So, I pray that You will remind me to gather Your words like a treasure and carry them around with me. And help me not just regard them as sparkly and beautiful but take them out and use them, even give them away.
Forgive me
Your words were intended to be heard and obeyed. I hear them okay, but some I don’t feel like obeying, like loving my neighbor. I don’t wish my neighbor any ill will. Does that count for something? I would rather not interact with my neighbors because I prefer to keep myself to myself (as the English would say). But that is not what you say. Forgive me when I pick through the treasure chest and toss out a gemstone or two.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who have yet to read Your words on the page. (And some may live on my street!) I pray for the one You are leading to them to share the treasure even if that one is me.
Thank You
You realize actions speak louder than words. Thank You for becoming the created and changing my life by putting Your words into action. You could have shouted from heaven or sent Your words through carrier pigeon (okay, maybe not), but You chose to leave the side of the Father and show us all how to live an abundant life that leads to even more after death. So much more.
More praise
Jesus, each of Your words is praiseworthy from the ones spoken while smiling and laughing, to the ones uttered through gasps of torment. Your words are cherished by men and angels alike, and we worship the One who spoke them – the perfect creator of words, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
