The Disciple’s Reflect on Jesus’ Prayer

A Modern Day Parable: Touched by the Master's Hand

Battered and scarred, the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on an old violin, but he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good folk?" he cried. "Who'll start the bidding for me?"

A dollar - a dollar - then two, only two. Two dollars, and who'll make it three?" "Going for three." But no, from the room far back, a grey-haired man came forward and picked up the bow. Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loosened strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as a carolling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, said,"Now what am I to bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two? Two thousand - and who'll make it three? Three thousand once - three thousand twice - and going - and gone," cried he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not understand. What changed its worth?" Quick came the reply," The touch of the master's hand." And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin, is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin. A 'mess of pottage' - a glass of wine, a game - and he travels on. He is going once - and going twice - he's going - and almost gone!

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

– Myra Welsh

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, you moved heaven and earth to save us. You reveal your grace to us in your Son. You chose us, just as you chose those disciples. You teach us with wisdom and authority. You showed us how to love those who hate us. You challenge us not to judge or condemn. May we be controlled by the love of Christ. Fill us with your love to see men and women reconciled to you. Your love is so amazing, so divine, so transforming - we give our souls, our lives, our all. Plant your kingdom-vision in our hearts today. Equip us to make godly decisions that will launch your church anew in this age. Amen.

Journal Exercise

Jesus chose Simon (whom Jesus named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. These were key people in the progress of his kingdom. Write a prayer requesting the Lord Jesus to choose many more people to draw others into his kingdom. Cry out to God for mercy for those who are lost.

Ask God to bring to mind three people who the Lord Jesus may be choosing to work for the growth of his kingdom by teaching and preaching. Write a prayer asking God to make his mind clear to them, and to give them the will to respond.

A Challenging Prayer

Let us, in submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and his command to make disciples of all nations, call upon God to multiply the number of well trained persons (ordained, lay, full time, part time and voluntary) to proclaim the gospel.