“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” John 17.13-19
[Keep going with “30 Days in Grace.” You can find the link at – https://movementministriesnew.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/30_Days_in_Grace_Guide.pdf ]
Man, this passage is packed with themes about being in the world, being sanctified and saved by Jesus, and protection from the evil one. This prayer is an intimate encounter between Jesus and the Father that he prays on behalf of us. How amazing is that? There is no reason Jesus had to pray this out loud for us to hear. No reason why the Lord would make sure it was recorded in Scripture for us to read and find assurance twenty centuries later.
But Jesus does pray for us and he prays it to the Father. He prays so that we might have “the full measure of his joy” inside our bodies. He’s given us his word but because of this, the world hates us for it. How much evidence do we see of this in our news as the world turns on Christianity? Everything else is permitted except the truth of the Gospel!
He affirms he’s not of this world and neither are we. And he prays for our protection from Satan — the evil one. He is the prince of this world and the one behind all the hate, the protests and he intolerance of Bible-believing Christians. Jesus’ prayer isn’t for us to be removed from the world but protected while in it. He wants us here. Needs us here. Relies on us being here to be a witness and a light to the darkness.
Therefore he prays finally for our holiness — our sanctification. Just as God sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us as sanctified persons bearing the word of truth which is God’s Word revealed in Jesus. In essence, we are his representatives being sent into a world in which we can testify only by his holiness. We are to be a light in the darkness and point people to the Father. Why wouldn’t Jesus make everyone just believe or remove us for our protection? So that the Son might be glorified and all might come to faith through him.
It’s not easy being in the world but the church as existed and even thrived for years, making disciples and winning people to the Kingdom by God’s grace and for his glory. Which is the reason for Jesus’ prayer on our behalf…
“O Lord God, thank you for this glimpse into your soul, into this conversation between you and the Father. Thank you Lord for saving me, redeeming me, protecting me. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me be the Church. Represent me well. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen