I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [John 17:14-20 ESV]
The above passage is a snippet of Christ’s prayer to the Father in John 17. In this section He is praying for His disciples; not only for them, but for those who will believe through their word. That would be you and me. The disciples preached the good news, which started the church and wrote the New Testament through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Because of the work God did through them we were able to hear the good news and believe. So as you read this prayer, read it as Christ is praying for you.
Christ declares to the Father that the world has hated them/us because they are not of the world (aliens). But Christ doesn’t ask to take us from this world to our home. Look what He asks the Father to do: keep us from the evil one. Remember Satan is currently ruler of this world—he searches to attack and devour us. Christ prays that we might be protected. We should pray that we are protected so we don’t slide back into a worldly way of thinking, so that the devil does not gain a foothold. Remember part of the prayer Christ gives us as an example to use in praying is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” [Mat 6:13 ESV]
Then Christ continues in saying again we are not of this world, nor was He. So, what does He ask next? Sanctify them in truth. Sanctify means to purify, or to separate from profane things and dedicate to God. Christ asks that we would be purified or separated from profane things by truth. Then He tells us what truth is: God’s Word. God’s word cleanses us and purifies us.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [Eph 5:25-26 NASB]
For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, [that is,] through the living and enduring word of God. [1Pe 1:23 NASB]
Through the reading and learning of the Word we are purified, cleansed, and prepared for the next step, being sent out. Christ was sent into the world and so we have been sent into the world. Wouldn’t it be nice to always stay with believers, discussing the Word, and singing praises to our God? But we are salt. Remember he has dispersed us all to their own mission field to be fertilizer (devo #3).
Lastly, Christ says that “for us” He has consecrated, or sanctified, Himself so that we may be sanctified in truth. Christ was preparing for the cross. He had separated Himself for God, so that He might fulfill the promised sacrifice. Did you catch in this prayer that Christ could sanctify Himself, in His own power, but we cannot? We need the Word. No matter how hard I try I cannot purify my life. Only through Christ’s sacrifice, the washing of the Holy Spirit, and the learning of the Word through the Holy Spirit can I be purified.
Reflection Questions:
- Is praying for protection from the evil one and temptation a consistent part of your prayer life?
- Have you been trying to purify yourself through goals, self-help, podcasts, or the Word?
Again, where have you been called out to? Where is your mission field?
Reflection Song:
