Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples

John 17:14–19
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This passage continues the beautiful prayer of our Lord for His eleven disciples. He prays that they may be kept from the enemy, from the world and the devil (vv. 14-16). He is asking God to assume responsibility for these men directly, so that while He is personally absent from them, they may be kept. Jesus specifically doesn’t ask the Father to take them out of the world. Rather, they are to be “in the world but not of it.” Christians throughout history have tried to avoid the world by withdrawing from it with varying degrees of success. Others have adapted right into the world’s system until they are nearly indistinguishable for it. Neither of these is the approach Jesus is commanding us to take in this passage. We are called to serve as Christ’s ambassadors in this fallen world (see 2^nd Corinthians 5:20). 

Jesus prayed that they might be sanctified (vv. 17-19). What does “sanctification“ mean? It means to separate or set apart, for a specific purpose. You sanctify the pews as you sit in them. You sanctify your car as you drive it. I sanctify my comb when I comb my hair – I use it for its intended purpose. What purpose did God have in mind in making man? In this context it includes a sense of personal agreement, a determination, a willingness to do it. 

It is not enough merely to study the Bible and learn a great deal of doctrinal truth. We must also love Jesus Christ. Learning and loving should lead to living. Christ’s prayer in this passage was particularly for the eleven, though it can apply to all believers. He was not praying for the world but for the disciples’ protection (v.11) and sanctification (v.17). This does not mean that Christ is unconcerned about the lost. It was just that He knew that He would soon depart to the Father and the disciples had to stay in this world to carry out His plan. The Word gives us joy, love, and power to live a holy life (vv. 18-19). It also gives us what we need to serve Him in this world.

Application

It is not enough to just study the Bible and learn a lot of doctrinal truth. I need to also love Jesus more as I learn; then learning and loving should lead to living. Is this happening in my life? If it is, I will not have to tell anyone because they will already know.