John 17:15-18 (NKJV) 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
As Jesus spent time with His disciples in the hours immediately before being handed over for His crucifixion, He took the steps necessary to help them understand what was going to happen to Him.
Part of that preparation was praying for them.
The words above are part of His prayer.
We can learn a lot from His words, so let us look at them more closely.
Jesus prayed that the Father would not take them out of the world, but that He would keep them from the evil one.
He knew that they would face horrendous attacks for their faith, and that the enemy would do everything possible with the hopes they would fail.
He was not asking God to prevent those attacks, but that He would anchor each of them securely in their faith so they would make it through victoriously and complete the work they were chosen to do.
It is interesting to note that He specifically stated that He was not asking that they be taken out of the world. For it was the world that they were called to go into and preach the gospel.
Jesus then asked the Father to sanctify them (set them apart) by His truth, stating also that His word is truth.
What does that mean?
Jesus is that Word and that Truth.
In John chapter 1, we read that Jesus is the Word. And that He was in the beginning with the Father, and through Him all things were made.
In Revelation 19:13, Jesus is called The Word of God
In John 14:6, Jesus stated that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
He is the Word, and He is the Truth
So, when Jesus asked God to set them apart by His truth, He was referring to Himself!
He alone could set the disciples apart from the world even as He sent them into the world.
Knowing this, we see that Jesus is central to everything; even the very sanctification of His bride, including you and me.
Through Jesus Christ, we are redeemed and set apart. Amen
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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