11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 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. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:11-19 ESV)
There are three big themes we need to grapple with in this passage of Scripture.
Divine Protection: While Jesus was physically present, he protected his disciples. Now, returning to the Father, he prays for their continued divine protection (verses 11-12). Knowing God's protection empowers us to live boldly and take risks for our faith. This is a big deal because knowing that you are being divinely protected by God makes you live and act in a certain way. In fact, you may even be empowered to take risks of faith for the sake of obeying and submitting ourselves to God as we live out our lives in accordance to his will for us.
Increased Holiness: Jesus prays that knowing this protection leads to greater holiness (living a life set apart for God). This means our desire for worldly acceptance diminishes, and our faith grows bolder through God's truthful word (verse 17). Divine protection through God's truth should prevent us from compromising our faith for sake of acceptance.
Mission in the World: Jesus prays for us to remain on mission in the world (verse 18). By living out our faith in this world, we conquer Satan's influence through the power of God's word. We become holy, reflecting Jesus' victory through his loving sacrifice.
Following Jesus isn't always easy, but God assures us of his protection as we pursue holiness, both personally and as we live out Jesus' mission in this world.
Let's pray that we embrace God's protection through his Word. May it transform us bit by bit into his image as we bravely share our sanctified lives with the world.
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