Worship & Christ's Great Priestly Prayer

"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world" John 17:24

On the eve of His crucifixion, towards the close of His great priestly prayer to His Abba Father, Jesus expressed His Own "desire" that all that the Father had given Him, which includes us, would "be with Me where I am."

When you and I minister to the Lord, we are with Him where He is, with Jesus our High Priest in the presence of our Father by the Holy Spirit temple within us. And, do you see how we, of our own free will response and understanding, are actually answering Jesus’ prayer, as far as our own lives go when, as priests to our God, we are continually entering His presence and saying "Yes, Lord we have come to be with You."

A dedicated priesthood to God shows respect to Jesus Christ, for we have come to be with Him where He is. We care more about our Savior’s prayer being answered for us, to "be with Me where I am," than even about our own requests. Besides, our own requests are best expressed in His presence, in His light, and in His favor, at His throne of grace.

"Be with Me where I am." This is our "with Me" reward spoken of when Jesus said "Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me" (Revelation 22:12). Many, and maybe most, seem content to leave this promise for the future only, while I definitely see God coming quickly to us and filling us with the reward of His "with Me" presence now. And, let’s face it, we really need Christ, in all of His present fullness and Headship over His own body, now.

Let’s put these two scriptures together, as ministers in God’s presence. First, let’s look again at Jesus saying "I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see my glory which You have given Me." Now, receive these words from Paul, "God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).

This is powerful! See the face of Christ within you. This is definitely for our lives right now. Let’s not leave God so far away when, in fact, He desires to be so close. Accept with joy this gift of "the light of the knowledge" so that you may see, right now in your heart, God’s glory in the face of Christ. How? "Be with Me where I am." That’s how. Hallelujah!