John 17: 6-19
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They know with certainty that I came from you, and they believe that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by the name that you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of this world any more than I am of this world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly be sanctified.
A Thought
Jesus Christ was sent to earth to restore man back to a righteous, joyful relationship to the only true God. Jesus knows he will remain in earth no longer. His death on the cross to pay the final penalty of all sin awaits. We can know Jesus’ desire for us as he prays to the Father for all who believe in the word that the Father had given him. Protect them in Jesus’ name; Make them one as we are one; Give them the full measure of joy within; Protect them from the evil one; Set them apart from the world by the truth of your word. Jesus now sends us out into the world to give the truth of his word to others that they also may receive eternal life through him.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that you sent your word through Jesus to give all who will believe eternal life with you. Help us to be set apart from the things of this world so we can bring glory to you and honor your word. Fill us with your joy knowing that our sins are forgiven. We ask for your Holy Spirit to fill us with your Word to continue the work that Christ has fully completed, in His name we pray, amen.
