Jesus prays for his disciples.  He knows what is up ahead for each one of them.  I am sure his heart was heavily burdened as he lifted up this request to the Heavenly Father.

The word that stands out to me in Scripture today is  “belong.”

It is important to know that you belong.  That you fit in somewhere.

When one gives his heart to Jesus – he belongs.  No one can take this gift from him.

Jesus prays for his disciples:

“Father, I have manifested who you really are and I have revealed you to the men and women that you gave to me.  They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have fastened your Word firmly to their hearts.  And now at last they know that everything I have is a gift from you, And the very words you gave to me to speak I have passed on to them. They have received your words and carry them in their hearts. They are convinced that I have come from your presence, and they have fully believed that you sent me to represent you.  So with deep love, I pray for my disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to you, those you have given me.  For all who belong to me now belong to you. And all who belong to you now belong to me as well, and my glory is revealed through their surrendered lives.                                -John 17:6-10 (TPT)

Let the words sink in.  How deeply Jesus loved his disciples.  The ones that he prayed for here understood – they had fastened God’s Word firmly to their hearts.  They are convinced that Jesus came from the very Presence of the Father.

At this point he is not praying for anyone else – just those disciples who had been with him for the past 3 1/2 years.   Those that belong to the Father and to the Son.  And that his glory will be revealed through their surrendered lives.

To belong.  To belong means you have to give of yourself.  These men and women surrendered their lives to Jesus.

In a world filled with hurts – with hate – with unyielding religion – what have you surrendered your daily life to?  When we surrender to Jesus – our every care – our hopes – our dreams – we understand what it means to belong.  To be in relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

My song.  I have sung this song since a child.  And it is daily, that I arise, and decide to whom – to what – that I will surrender all.  The best days are when I give him my all.

I Surrender All