The Lord Jesus prays for our Sanctification

The Lord Jesus prays for our Sanctification. John 17:7-19 Believers are “not of the world,” even though we live in the world. We cannot isolate ourselves from it, but we should not yield to the sinful influences of evil that permeate society. We have been saved out of the world and set apart to be part of the body of Christ. The disciples were the Father’s gift to the Son. They believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and were convinced that He and His message were from God. The work of the Lord Jesus Christ included making God’s name known to His own.

We learn more about Him from all He has said so that we do not walk alone in darkness. We, who the Father gave to Him, learn from Him to make Him known to others. His work of giving God’s word to them [v.8] has provided us with full and sufficient instructions through the words we received from God. We know that the One who came down from heaven intends for us to live by the word.

His work of praying for them [v.9,15] continues constantly, as He, our Advocate, observes our lives here. He prays to keep us from evil and sin, not to remove us but to help us learn. His work is to keep those who believe [v.12] through the power of His name, which keeps us from sin. His disciples were protected while He was here, and that same power to keep can protect all of us who have been given to Him and will continue because we bear His name.

His work involved sending His disciples into the world [v.18]. They went out to represent the truth that had been given to them. The world still needs God’s truth, received by faith, and our responsibility is to pass on what we have been given to others. The Lord’s work of sanctifying them [v.19] was to set them apart from God for His work to be done by the power of God’s word. It has also been given to us so we might pass along to others the message of God. Another part of His work was giving them God’s glory [v.22] so they could glorify God, which is one of man’s chief aims. It’s a privilege that’s hard to surpass, but to have glory from God given to men can only be done by God’s grace.

The early churches grew because of their reputation for fellowship, generosity, hospitality, and concern for unity. When God's people are right with Him and with each other, and when they are growing in faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, one of the natural and spontaneous results is the salvation of souls.

The quality of life in the Christian community in Acts served as a powerful witness to the world. A loving community of saints cannot help but attract favor in a world divided by alienation. In a society filled with loneliness, the reconciled and reconciling love of God's people has great appeal. During His upper room ministry, Christ aimed to prepare His disciples so they could carry on the work He started. He sought to prepare them for a greater destiny than they could imagine—one in which an unimaginable reality would go beyond His physical presence with them: He would dwell within them. He intended to continue His ministry through their bodies. God's work would go on, only amplified millions of times through the bodies—embodying grace and truth—of believers. His ongoing work in these last days, “by His Son,” was not limited to three years but involves the Son working within us.

In this prayer, Jesus asks His Father to restore Him to His place of honor and authority. His resurrection and ascension confirm that He returned to the right hand of God. Now, God’s glory—the revelation of His character and presence—is shown to the world through the lives of His people. The unity between the Father and the Son in love and harmony is the strongest possible bond and should be evident in the lives of His followers. Joy, a central theme in the teachings of Jesus, is ours through close relationship with Him and is meant to be the experience of God’s people even when we face defeat.

The world dislikes believers because our values differ. Therefore, we don’t associate with the world by participating in their sin, which serves as a living condemnation of the world’s immorality. Believers are sanctified through trusting and obeying the Word of God, which purifies our daily lives. God doesn’t intend for us to escape from the world and all our relationships, but to be salt and light. Salt, light, seed, and yeast do their true work when they are unseen. Salt in the shaker, lightly covered, seed stored away, and yeast in the pantry are useless unless taken out and allowed to influence their surroundings, becoming invisible. Food has no power against salt, and darkness must give way to light.

The Lord Jesus prays for our Unity. John17:20-26 So, when our Lord prayed for unity, protection, and sanctity for His own, He desired a powerful witness in the world to the reality of God. The bonds of spiritual love are the convincing testimony to the world that Jesus came from God and that He and the Father are one. The unity of believers occurs as a result of their sanctification. Our Lord Jesus Christ was revealed to the world through His disciples after He ascended to heaven. Those who follow Him today testify to that unity, how it is formed, and how it is maintained.

Belief in Him and right thinking about the Father and the Son lead to fruitfulness in believers' lives and show God's love extended to everyone. The Father in the Son, and the Son as the Head of the church, express that love in ways that can be seen and felt. Divine unity is “perfect in one,” or complete, and our unity in Christ will be whole with all believers when we “behold His glory.” What a joyous experience that will be for Him and us!

A spiritual battle is being fought worldwide. Sometimes, the sounds of this conflict reach our ears, prompting us to pray for those who, like cannon fodder, are thrown into fierce battles where hearts fail them in fear. Remarkably, they succeed in places where united opposition forces try to stop the Gospel's spread. Our prayers seem to be effective, and although the warriors are few, many surrender and become branches joined to the Vine.

Here where I live, it seems like the enemy is resting, maybe waiting for a future time to make his attack. But this is a deception because he is gradually winnowing those nearing the kingdom by employing a different tactic. Here, he has divided our forces, creating weak groups, and it takes all our efforts to stay alive. Our forces are divided, each making futile attempts to seek supremacy over the others, hoping they won't survive. Instead of uniting with purpose and grace, we are splintered like kindling that's easy to burn. Instead of the true Gospel being preached and believed by faith, most of the enemy walk among us and openly reject the message of religion that is merely a compromise, leaving those who claim to be Christians no different from others. Scorning and ignoring the false Gospel that doesn't change lives nearly halts the work of faithful brothers. When sinners come to the cross, a fundamental change occurs. Regardless of who they are or their background, death happens, nullifying every claim that sin once held, and the old life of sin is truly over. A new creation emerges with new life forces revealed to the world. The crucifixion of the old self cannot be hidden. Although the soldiers are few, with the Spirit and the Word, the enemy among God's people can no longer survive.

The Lord Jesus Christ summarized His prayer in the last two verses, where He speaks of God's holiness, the divine origin of Jesus, the revealing of the Father’s name, and the unity of love between the Father, Son, and believers in Him.

Jn.17:1. WHY HE SPOKE: That their joy might be full, Jn.15:11. That they would not be offended, Jn.16:1. That they might have peace, Jn.16:33. “He lifted up His eyes to heaven.” WHY HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES: His rest was there; His throne and angels were there. “Father.” Your Father, Mat.7:9-11; Lu.11:13; your heavenly Father, Mat.6:32; your Father’s good pleasure, Lu.12:32. “The hour is come.” God looked for it; Jesus looked for it; Satan looked for it; His people looked for it. “Glorify Thy Son.” “My glory.” Isa.42:6-8. Christ glorified not Himself.” Heb.5:5. “Wrought in Christ.” Eph.1:20-23. “God also hath highly exalted Him.” Phil.2:9. “God raised Him.” 1Pe.1:21.

John 17:2. "Power over all flesh…" The Word was made flesh [Jn.1:14]. Christ suffered in the flesh [1 Pet.4:1]. Sin was condemned in the flesh [Rom.8:3]. Access to God through His flesh [Heb.10:20]. Abolished enmity in the flesh [Eph.2:15]. Gave His flesh for the life of the world. [Jn.6:51]. "Give eternal life…" The Lord Jesus Himself [1 Jn.1:2]. Fellowship with the Father [1 Jn.1:2]. His life in us: favor of God, presence of God, image of God, power of God. "As many as Thou hast given Me…" He became a man for us. He suffered, died, and rose for us. He mediates for us. He uses His power for us. He values us. He delights in us. He saves us. He keeps us. He assures us. He waits for us. As a servant, Christ pleads on this basis (a mediator). His relationship: “Thy Son…” The glory of the Father, “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” [Jn.14:13]. The commission God had given Him, v.2. The objects for whom He came, “those that thou hast given Me…”, v.11. I have glorified thee on the earth,” v.4. I am glorified in them, v. 10, 22. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do, v. 4. John 17:3. “This is life eternal…” Life is the perfection of being; eternal life is the perfection of life; all life has its source in God. Natural life is His creation (Psalms 104:29). Spiritual life is His inspiration (Jn.10:10). Eternal life is His gift (1Jn.5:11). “Know Thee…” De.11:32. “the people that know their God shall be strong….” Eph.1:17. “…wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” 2Pe.1:2. “Grace and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God and….” Phil.1:9. “…love may abound yet more and more in knowledge.” Ps.9:10. “They that know thy name will put their trust in thee.” 2 Tim.1:12. “I know in whom I have believed…” 2Pe.1:18. “…ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge….” John 17:4. Glorified thee…finished the work…” Only Christ could glorify God and finish this great work, Dan.9:24. Finish the transgression, Isa.53:5. Make an end of sin, Rev.20:3. Make reconciliation for iniquity, Col.1:22; 1Pe.3:18. Bring in everlasting righteousness, Rom.3:21-23; 2Cor.5.21. Seal up the vision and prophecy, Rev. Anoint the Most Holy, Eph.2:20-22.

John 17:5. “The glory which I had.” Our Savior God had an essential glory before He came. That glory was veiled in flesh. He prays to be reinstated in that glory. Our great High Priest/Mediator/Advocate is truly glorified.

John 17:6. “I have manifested thy name.” Seven considerations: I have manifested unto them thy name. The Father’s interest: ‘Thine they were.” The gift of them to Himself. The reception of Him and His message. Father, remember I am glorified in them, v.10. The Father’s sympathy, v.14. “The world hated them.” They are not of the world, v.14 Names of God: Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord will provide [Gen.22:14]. Abraham on Mt. Moriah. Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord my banner [Ex.17:15]. Victory over Amalek. Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is there [Ex.48:35]. The city that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. Jehovah-Ropheka: The Lord that healeth thee [Ex.15:25]. When the people were healed of diseases. Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord our righteousness [Jer.33:16]. When the people were justified. Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord sends peace [Jud.6:24]. When He spake peace to Israel. Seven times in this prayer, Christ reminds the Father that He had given His people to Him. “Out of the world.” The world, the flesh, and the devil sought to keep them, but the Father gave His people over to Christ that He might raise them to a position of union and communion with Him; not the heavens, earth, or dominions, but He gave Him His people. “Kept Thy Word.” Jn.14:23, for communion. Jn.15:11, for joy. Jn.16:33, for peace. Jn.15:7, for power. Jn.15:7, for answered prayers. John 17:7. “All things…” 2Cor.5:18, reconciled. Heb.2:10, recognition. Jn.13:3-4, responsibility. Mat.28:19, resources. 1Cor.3:21, rewards. John 17:8. “Given unto them the words…” By His words, we know the Father. The Gospel was given to Christ to carry out [Jn.7:16]. Christ is God’s Ambassador [Jn.3:33-34; De.18:18-19]. His work was successful: “They have received them.” John 17:9. “I pray for them…” The previous verses were an introduction. Here, we have an intercession. He ---- came for us, lived for us, died for us, rose for us, ascended for us, entered heaven for us, presented His blood for us, prepared a place for us, claimed mansions for us, had the scriptures written for us, sent the Holy Spirit for us, and will come again for us. “I pray not for the world.” The unbelieving world that hates God is condemned.

John 17:10. “Mine…thine.” Mine is by grace, creation, gift, purchase, and surrender of ourselves. Practical results of this privilege are 2 Corinthians 7:11, holiness; 2 Timothy 1:12, persuasion; Jn 14:1; 16:33, peace. Glory is the display of the fullness of God.

John 17:11. “In the world.” He is not in this world continually as He was for 33 years. “I come.” Rest, joy, river of life, no enemies, able to enjoy the fellowship of the redeemed, no more despised and rejected. Our Lord Jesus Christ is past the travail of His soul. “These are in the world…” This is a place of trial, danger, and temptation. He has left us in the world to Illuminate the darkness: “Ye are the light of the world.” Form our character: learn to trust, learn hope and love, learn our God. Honor and glorify His name: “Keep through thine own name.” Here, we learn wilderness lessons but are kept by supreme authority.

John 17:12. “I kept them in thy name.” He knew our sorrows, experienced our trials, endured temptations, and shared in our nature. His name: Ex.3:13-15; 34:5-7; Num.6:23-27; 2 Cor.13:14. They needed to be kept. They could not keep themselves. Judas was the son of perdition, a thief, and a devil. He did not fall from grace but from a privileged position. Judas may have been one of the 12 that our Lord might taste the sorrows of betrayal, or that, as a spy upon Christ, he might be called to testify, “I have betrayed the innocent blood” [Mat.27:4] that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:13. “I come to thee.” As they refer to Himself: “I come as a representative of my people”; “I come as a pledge of my love for them”; “I come in the value of a finished work”; “I come on the grounds of justice and truth.” As they refer to the Father: the travail of His soul is satisfied; He comes to awaiting glory; He comes to the heart of His affection. As they refer to His people: I come as High Priest; I come in acceptance; I come in righteousness. “My joy…” Fulfilled, not just offered; in themselves, not another. The character of His joy [Jn.15:11]: full, complete, abiding, unchanging. Nature of His joy: He gives --- “His” peace, “His” rest, “His” strength, “His” life, “His” fullness, “His” grace – in doing the Father’s will, fulfilling the Father’s work, witnessing to the Father’s word.

John 17:14. “Thy Word…the world hated them.” The Word lived out is hated. The Word is paralyzed by worldliness in Christians. The world hated the persons, the principles, the profession, and the presence of those who live by the Word. Those who live by the Word have a different nature, spirit, worship, conduct, character, and portions. Three essentials to true Christianity: 1] Regeneration: new and divine life in the soul by the Word. 2] Separation: from the world; received Christ in the heart. 3] Consecration: to God; by sovereign grace, we love His ways.

John 17:15. “Keep them from the evil.” God’s glory is more fully displayed by keeping us from evil here and then crowning us with glory there. The words “keep them” are the point of the whole prayer. Keep them in spiritual conflicts [Eph.6:11-12]. Keep them from humiliating failures in service [Mk.14:20]. Keep them in bodily suffering. Keep them in the burden of self [Rom.7:24]. Keep them from all spiritual hurt [Ps.121:7].

John 17:18. “Thou hast sent Me...” His pre-existence. “Thou hast sent me” [Jn.17:18]. He didn’t come on His own accord. “He sent me” [Jn.8:42; 16:5]. Sent and commissioned. “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior…” [1Jn.4:14]. Sent and qualified. “Fullness…” [Col.2:10; “All power…” [Mat.28:19]; “Authority…” [Jn.5:27]. Sent officially: Prophet [De.18:15]; Priest [Ps.110:4]; King [Ps.2:6]. Sent responsibly: “I must work” [Jn.9:4]; “I must bring” [Jn.10:6]; “Must be lifted up” [Jn.3:14]; “Must be fulfilled” [Lu.24:44]. John 17:19. “I sanctify Myself…” The idea behind this is: “I dedicate, I consecrate, I set apart My whole self, including – Person, offices, fullness, righteousness, interests, existence for this purpose.” For a purpose – for their sakes. We live a life of faith, a life of sanctification. The ground of sanctification is who He is and what He has done, not who we are and what we have done. We cannot be more sanctified than we are because He cannot love us more, be more perfect or accepted, or be made more suitable for glory. Truly sanctified has not to do with our persons, the natural man or the flesh, but for illumination of mind and heart through the truth.

John 17:20. “Them also which shall believe on Me.” He now prays for the whole Church. We are all included here. He prays as the Head of the Body. He prays as our Representative. He is the Object on whom we believe: we believe in God; we believe in the Word of God, the Bible; but we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior who took our place, died in our place, was wounded for our transgressions, whose blood cleanses us from all sin, who is now resurrected and lives for us. Justifying faith is: 1] Knowing what He has done, Isa.53:11 2] Assenting in the heart (believing in Him), 1Jn.5:10-11. 3]Accepting Him, Jn.1:12 4]Trusting Him, Eph.1:13-14. John 17:21. “They all may be one…” The unity of the children of God: Unity of the Spirit, Eph.4:3. Unity of the faith, Eph.4:13. Unity of heart (they were of one accord), Acts 4:32. Unity of love (knit together in love), Col.2:2. Unity of peace (bond of peace), Eph.4:3. Unity of mind (perfectly joined together, of the same mind), 1Cor.1:10. Unity of judgment (discernment), 1Cor.1:10. The divine union of the Son of man and the Son of God is the closest possible union (hypostatic union); the union of love of the Father and the Son and the union of the will of the Father and the Son are close unions. “They may be one in us…” God is the fountainhead from which we draw. Christ is the channel through which blessings flow. The Holy Spirit is the power through which we serve. “That the world may believe…” The character of Christians is the Bible the world reads. The closeness of the Christians shows the love the world needs. The Christ-likeness of the Christians reveals the honor and happiness the world needs.

John 17:22. “Even as we are one.” Union with God, with Himself, in Himself, is still there. Union with the Almighty is the greatest of all conceivable blessings. Union with God provides the grace needed: salvation, justification, sanctification, and fruitfulness are all God’s grace.

John 17:23. “They may be perfect in one.” The Lord is in us regardless of station in life, age in Christ, and knowledge of Him. Made perfect in one: God must fail before we can fall. Christ’s fullness and the Holy Spirit’s power assure this. Made perfect in one: not in denominational separations but in the oneness of His Body. The world is hindered from believing by the power of Satan, the absence of a visible King, and the weakness of God’s children. The world will know when we declare the Gospel. The world will know when we love one another. The world will know when we live out our faith.

John 17:24. “I will… they be with Me…behold My glory.” His will is above all enemies and oppressors. Shall we be busy with things that displease Him? Shall we work at sin as if bound to it? Shall we listen to the discordant sounds all around us?

John 17:25. “O righteous Father.” The One the Lord always pleased. The One He prayed to before the sufferings of Calvary. The One He presented a finished work to. The world does not know Him but is unaware of God and His ways.

John 17:26. “I have declared Thy name.” God’s love for Christ is not just known but realized and possessed. He prayed…. That they may be made perfect in one. The world may know that thou hast sent Me. Thou hast loved Me. The love the Father has for the Son may be in us. Christ is in us.

THE CUP WHICH MY FATHER GAVE ME. John18 They went backward and fell. John18:1-10 "When Jesus had spoken these words" refers to the prayer that the Lord Jesus Christ made for His own people. In that prayer to the Father about God's work for them, He also identified characteristics of His disciples that describe those who have eternal life. They know the Father and the Son. It is not only the words they say that demonstrate the reality of faith, but more importantly, the actions of their lives that reveal the characteristics of the divine nature.

The Lord Jesus made earnest intercession on their behalf as He asked the Father to keep, sanctify, and unite them. He desired that they would be with Him, and they would also share His glory. Not only would His love be in them, but He would be in them - "Christ in you the hope of glory." Whether they understood much of what Jesus prayed or not is not told us, but we know what He prayed and what those words mean to us now. How blessed and wonderful it is to be the objects of such holy intercession.

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, over three years before the events recorded here, Jesus told them of this sign of His deity: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Now the time had come for a testing of His disciples. As the band of men and soldiers came led by Judas, Jesus woke the sleeping disciples and met these men outside the garden. In His majesty, He openly declared His deity—"I AM."

Wherever God reveals Himself in power and authority, men are powerless before Him. On this occasion, those two words caused them to step back and fall down before Him. Sometimes, God allows events and circumstances to occur in which helpless men can only acknowledge, "This is an act of God."

He stood there in holy dignity, men lying before Him on the ground. Bigotry, with its blind bias, unfair prejudice, and willful ignorance, brought men to the praying place, controlled by the power of darkness. Treachery, passion, and hate all united to extinguish the Light. His calm words answered their question of identity, so there was no lack of identification. It was clear that this was the One, the only One who could bear away the world's sin. Sin was in the cup the Father gave Him to drink.

Deceit, as demonstrated by Judas' actions, originates from the devil himself. He is a deceiver and the father of lies. The betrayer who kissed Jesus was among those who fell backward. His last impression of the Lord Jesus Christ in His majesty would be from the prostrate position of someone bowed before the Savior - "That every knee should bow ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Judas betrayed the "innocent blood" of the Savior, and the last words he heard from the Savior were, "I AM." How dark and dismal is the condition of someone who has rejected and betrayed the Savior! "Deeper down than Tyre and Sidon, shall the Christ-rejecter go."

Not only did the Lord Jesus Christ identify Himself with majesty and authority, but in humility and controlled power, He submitted to weak men and allowed them to bind Him. He interceded for His own, ensuring the disciples were free to go. Peter, filled with zeal, made a hesitant and fearful attempt to defend Jesus.

Weak courage without knowledge has little true value in God's work. We must understand God's mind and will before attempting to take His work into our own hands. In mercy and meekness, the Lord Jesus healed the damage caused by Peter's impulsive act of cutting off a man's ear. Targeting a man's head instead of his heart is not an effective way to do God's work.

When our ambition for God takes over our service instead of our sense of responsibility, we risk acting in the strength of our flesh. To be led in our efforts to serve God means we must be willing to wait for His timing, even though waiting is very difficult. Not only might we act out of the weakness of our fleshly nature, but we also might do so against God's purposes. We can cause more harm at the end of a matter, and only God, in His mercy, can step in to restore what we have lost or damaged. It’s crucial that we know His word and follow it, so we don’t find ourselves acting contrary to God's will.

Looking ahead in silence, the Lamb was led by fragile mortal men. He could see the agony that the red sweat marks indicated. Our Lord Jesus was not a clueless creature but omniscient; He could already taste the sharp bitterness of a body hanging on a tree. The physical pain of every wound known to man is anticipated, for sin had wrought its dark deeds on humans in every way. Yet here, in One sinless Person, every physical pain is known; agony was in the cup the Father gave Him.

The Cup. John18:11-14 Led from that garden came the One who understands the core of man's rejection. They wished upon Him the greatest possible harm. Still unknown to men, in their hatred so blind and intense against good, the rejection of being despised and tormented by men was only a pale shadow of what is involved in breaking God's law. The consequences of that curse could only be dealt with by the sinless One, who took upon Himself the curse in the cup the Father gave Him.

An unlikely key was in the hand of a zealous, failing man; Peter's sword was used to cut the lock of the righteous cup. A bloody ear, a miracle of healing, displayed the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. He could not turn away His holy lips from the cup the Father gave. The key was sheathed again, and the words spoken clearly pointed to the cross and to all that one act of obedience would achieve. The Father gave Him the cup; no man, no demon could do such a thing. The cross was in the cup the Father gave Him.

Who would have thought that “the cup” would take the Son of God, who holds all power in heaven and earth in His own hands, from bended knees and a prostrate form as He prayed to the Father, to be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver? He arose and was bound as a common mortal man would be restrained publicly. A fatal kiss, remnants of strong prayer in bloody streaks on His face, a final miracle, and He takes the first swallow of “the cup.” The Son of God is led away!

Who would have thought that 'the cup” would place the Son of God before those priestly officers whom Almighty God Himself ordained to represent Him to the people? Who would have thought they would pronounce a death sentence on Him who holds their breath in His hands? In defiance of the holy word of God they pledged to uphold, the second swallow of “the cup” is condemnation by those supposed to be His servants.

Who would have thought that “the cup” would leave the Son of God all alone before false accusers, betrayed by a “three and a half year” companion, and denied by someone who proclaimed fidelity unto death? The Lord Jesus Christ was abandoned by the faithful few who followed Him and then fled. “Lover and friend” were no longer there to help bear the load. The third sip from “the cup” left Him as lonely as a single sparrow sitting on a rooftop.

Who would have thought that “the cup” would have the Son of God stand before an earthly judge, even though He Himself is the universal Judge of the living and the dead? That fragile mortal judge declared His innocence on every count three times, knowing envy was the true cause. Yet, under the pressure of rank and privilege that can easily be lost, the fourth sip from “the cup” is taken, and a guilty man goes free – the Just One must die.

When the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world, there was no question about what that would cost. The Lord Jesus Christ knew what lay ahead and had no intention of avoiding it. There would be suffering, loneliness, rejection, and death in that "cup" when He would put away sin through His sacrifice. The Father had given Him this task, and He accepted it gladly. It is always "holy ground" when we see divine Persons subject to one another. True, Jesus would suffer as a man for us, but He was still the great "I AM." He never for a moment abandoned His divine nature to become the "I WAS." Yet, as the Son, He was obedient to His Father. As a man, He was obedient to His God. As the Lamb of God, He was the one acceptable sacrifice for sin, and He did not seek any way to escape that purpose.