John 17:14-26
I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. * I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth. “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Grace Prayed For
Grace to Stand Apart: Pray for the strength to resist conformity to the world and to live according to God’s values, even when it’s challenging.
Standing Apart, Standing Strong
This passage from John 17 is a powerful reminder of the unique position of believers in Christ. Jesus prays for His disciples, and for all future believers, acknowledging that they will face hostility from the world. Why? Because they are no longer of the world.
Just as Jesus was set apart, sent into the world on a divine mission, so too are we. We are called to live in the world but not be consumed by it. This doesn’t mean we withdraw or isolate ourselves. Instead, it’s a call to live counter-culturally, reflecting the values of God’s Kingdom.
Key Points for Reflection:
- Set Apart, Not Taken Out: Jesus doesn’t pray for us to be removed from the world’s challenges, but to be protected from its evil influences. We are called to be salt and light, influencing our surroundings for good.
- Truth as Foundation: Jesus prays that we may be consecrated, or set apart, in truth. God’s Word is truth, and it’s our anchor in a world filled with shifting opinions and deceptive philosophies.
- Unity in Mission: Just as Jesus and the Father are one, He prays that His followers will be united. This unity is a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the love and reality of God.
- Love’s Legacy: The passage concludes with a beautiful picture of divine love. Jesus shares the glory given to Him by the Father with His followers. This love, poured out on us, empowers us to live out our calling in the world.
Living it Out:
- Embrace Your Identity: Remember that you are a child of God, set apart for His purposes. Don’t conform to the world’s patterns but allow God’s truth to transform you from the inside out.
- Seek God’s Protection: The world can be a harsh place. Pray for God’s protection from evil influences and the strength to resist temptation.
- Pursue Unity: Build strong relationships with other believers, encouraging and supporting one another in your shared faith.
- Share God’s Love: Let the love of God, which has been so generously poured out on you, overflow to those around you. Be a beacon of hope and grace in a world that desperately needs it.
Remember, you are not alone. Jesus has gone before you, and He is with you always. As you live in the world but not of it, may you experience the fullness of His love and the joy of fulfilling your unique calling.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Understanding Jesus’ Heart for His Followers: Jesus’ prayer reveals His deep love and concern for His disciples, and by extension, for all believers. Seeing His desire for our protection, unity, and sanctification draws us closer to His heart, fostering a sense of personal connection and belovedness.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post