John 17:1-13
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 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
Protection from Evil: Pray for God’s protection from the evil one and his influence in the world. Ask for the grace to discern temptation and resist it, relying on God’s strength to overcome evil.
Sanctified and Sent: Living in the World, Not of It
This heartfelt prayer from John’s Gospel offers a powerful glimpse into Jesus’ deep love for His disciples and His desire for their protection and sanctification as they continue His mission in the world. It serves as a reminder that we, too, are called to live in the world but not be conformed to it, finding our identity and purpose in Christ alone.
Key Points for Reflection:
- Jesus’ Protection and Guidance: Jesus’ prayer highlights His role in protecting and guiding His disciples during His earthly ministry. This assures us of His continued care and presence in our lives, even when we face challenges and opposition.
- Sharing in Christ’s Joy: Jesus desires that His followers experience the fullness of His joy. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from our intimate relationship with Him.
- Living in the World, Not of It: Jesus acknowledges that His disciples will remain in the world, but He prays that they will be kept from the evil one and consecrated in truth. This calls us to live counter-culturally, resisting the temptations and values of the world.
- The Power of God’s Word: Jesus emphasizes the importance of God’s Word as the source of truth and sanctification. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we allow God’s truth to transform us and set us apart for His purposes.
- Unity in Christ: Jesus prays for unity among His followers, that they may be one just as He and the Father are one. This unity is a powerful witness to the world of God’s love and the reality of Jesus’ mission.
Inspiration and Application:
- Seek God’s Protection: Let us pray for God’s protection and guidance as we navigate the challenges of living in a fallen world. May we trust in His presence and find strength in His promises.
- Cultivate Intimacy with Jesus: True joy comes from knowing and following Jesus. Let us deepen our relationship with Him through prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His commands.
- Resist Worldly Conformity: This passage challenges us to resist the pressures of the world and to live according to God’s truth. May we be set apart by our love for Christ and our commitment to His values.
- Embrace God’s Word: Let us immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, allowing God’s truth to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. May we be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
- Pursue Unity with Fellow Believers: Let us actively seek unity with other Christians, recognizing that our oneness reflects the love and unity within the Trinity. May our love for one another be a powerful witness to the world.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Experiencing His Protective Love: Jesus’ prayer reveals His deep care and protection for His followers. Recognizing this love and His desire to guard you from evil can create a sense of security and trust, drawing you closer to Him.
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