John 17 is one of the richest and most profound chapters in the Bible. It is often called Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” because it contains Jesus’ prayer for his people.  Verse 9, “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” Jesus’ longest recorded prayer in the Bible is for us. This is amazing. The profundity of John 17 is also in that Jesus gives us a peak behind the curtain into some of [...]

“And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’”- 2 Samuel 18:5 How could David say such a thing about Absalom? This rebel son, this scoundrel who turned the kingdom upside down. He was a murderer and a liar who conspired against his father David, didvided the nation of Israel, and caused David and his men to run into hiding. Yet, when the occasion finally arose for vengeance, the king asked nothing of his commanders but gentleness toward this [...]