John – Chapter 17
This entire chapter deals with Jesus’ prayer. From it, we learn the world is a tremendous battleground where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war. Satan and his forces are motivated by bitter hatred for Christ and his forces. Jesus prayed for his disciples, including those of us who follow him today. Jesus prayed that God would keep his chosen believers safe from Satan’s power, setting them apart and making them pure and holy, uniting them through the truth.
Before Jesus came to earth, he was one with God. At this point, when his mission was on earth was almost finished, He was asking his Father to restore him to his original place of honor and authority. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension attest to the fact that He did return to His exalted position at the right hand of the Father.
What did Jesus mean when he said “glory has come to me through them? God’s glory is the revelation of His character and presence, and He is present to the world through them. Does your life reveal Jesus’ character and presence? Jesus was asking that his disciples be united in harmony and love as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united – the strongest of all unions.
It is no doubt that the world hates a true Christian. This is because a true Christian, Christ followers, doesn’t cooperate with the world by joining in their sin. Christians are living accusations against the world’s immorality. The world follows Satan’s agenda, and Satan is avowed enemy of Jesus and his people. Now don’t misunderstand me, those who proclaim to be a Christian, or putting on a show, they are not a threat. They become the laughing stock of Satan and his demons.
A follower of Christ becomes sanctified (set apart for sacred use, cleansed, and made holy) through believing and obeying the Word of God (Heb 7:26-27). Daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our hearts and minds. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, and renews, our relationship with Christ and guides us back to the right path. Jesus didn’t ask God to take believers out of the world but instead to use them in the world. Because Jesus sends us into the world, we should not try to escape the world, nor should we avoid all relationships with non-Christians. We are called to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16) and we are to do the work that God wants us to do.
Jesus prayed for all of us who would follow Him, including you and others you know. He prayed for unity, protection from the evil one, and holiness. Jesus’ great desire was for his disciples to become one. He also prayed for those that followed him then, and those in the times to come.
