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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 3 - Light Shines in the Circle of the Apostles (John 11:55 - 17:26)
E - Jesus' Intercessory Prayer (John 17:1-26)

3. Jesus intercedes for his apostles (John 17:6-19)


JOHN 17:14
14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Jesus testified in his prayers that he had offered the Father’s words to his disciples, revealing to them His fatherly name with its meanings. Through this revelation he announced the Holy Trinity to us. This wondrous revelation of God’s essence touched the disciples; it transformed them, filling them with power so that they became members of Christ’s spiritual body.

On account of these qualities and virtues the world would hate them, as they hated Jesus. Just as Christ’s source was from God, and his life was hid in God from eternity past, similarly all who are born again will live eternally.

JOHN 17:15
15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.

Jesus did not carry his disciples into heaven, nor did he transport them into seclusion, even though afflictions and hardships beset them all around. He asked his Father to protect his followers from satanic influences and the deceits of orators as well as evil spirits. Our Lord intercedes for us. Every believer lives in his embrace guaranteed and sealed. The blood of Jesus protects us, and because of his sacrifice God is with us. No one can accuse us or destroy us. We have become righteous, immortal, upheld by the grace of the Holy One. Unless we turn disobedient and follow our inclinations to specific sins; then He will let us fall into temptation, for the sin that indwells us may emerge and become uncovered shame. Then we shall tremble and repent with tears, crying, "Father, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." He who tries to struggle with Satan and death in his own strength and human boldness deceives himself. Resort to Christ’s blood and intercession, he is our only Savior.

JOHN 17:16-17
16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

In his prayer Jesus repeated his testimony to the disciples even though they had not emerged from this evil world since they were of the flesh and prone to evil like others. They would remain bad, but for God’s grace. Christ’s blood had freed them from the prison of the Evil One. They had become aliens in this world and citizens of heaven.

In their new nature which constituted both body and soul there would be an on-going conflict. The Holy Spirit is pained if we love ourselves, our works and our families more than other people. All attempts at pleasing ourselves will wound our consciences. Every lie burns into memory as a smouldering cane. God’s Spirit will not let you keep stolen goods in your home. If you have hurt someone by an insult or a cruel action, the Spirit of truth will impel you to go and ask his pardon. The Holy Spirit uncovers all wickedness, deceit and twisting in your life, and will judge you accordingly.

Christ asked his Father to sanctify us, because the unholy cannot make another holy. This sanctification is affected by attracting us to His truth. To the extent that we realize God’s love and abide in the Son’s grace and live in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made holy. God’s presence in our lives affects us. God Himself fulfils His purpose in us, "Be holy because I am Holy." The blood of Jesus sanctifies us once for all, just as the Holy Spirit in us lacks nothing. Your faith in this holy nature of the Trinity sanctifies you completely.

This sanctification is achieved on God’s part through our deepening in His word. The Gospel is the source of our cleansing, and the root of our obedience. Christ’s words lead us to faith, to self-denial and love for worship so that we may be fit to approach God. Open your heart to the word of your Father, for God is love and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

JOHN 17:18
18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.

After Jesus had prayed for his disciples asking that they be sanctified, he sent them renewed into a world of wickedness. He saved us to sanctify our lives; then he sent us into the world so that through us he may save and sanctify many. The Church is not an assembly at ease, entertaining itself with pious talk and legalistic judgments; It is a fellowship of action, invading the fortress of Satan by faith, aiming by prayers and perseverance at the conversion of the lost. The Church announces the Father’s Kingdom and seeks to affect His will for evangelism on earth. Have you become aware of Christ’s prayer for action in evangelism?

Jesus honors you and sends you to the lost just as the Father has sent him. The aim is only one and so is the equipment to achieve this aim: His pronouncements about the truth of God in Christ. Jesus calls you to an active service, and not to laziness and illusions. His Holy Spirit is your power.

JOHN 17:19
19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

Jesus knew that none of his disciples was able to evangelize or carry out spiritual welfare, but that all would fall with fatal wounds in their hearts and consciences, if God would not surround them with His holiness and power. For this reason the Son became a victim, sanctifying himself, even though he was already holy at all times. By his death he met all the demands of holiness, so that the accusations of Satan would be extinguished by our faith in Christ’s blood. On the basis of his atoning death, the disciples were able to receive the Holy Spirit. They were then made vessels to bear living water; witnesses to Jesus of his death and resurrection.

Thus they were freed of trickery and their lips cleansed of the poisons of deceit. They received boldness never to deny the right and to expose sins even though this might cause troubled consciences but which would eventually lead to salvation. This conflict with lying, immorality and pride succeeds only by the protection of Christ’s blood and the efficacy of his intercession.

PRAYER: Forgive the hatred, lies and pride in our hearts. We are by nature evil, you are holy. Keep us from the snares of Satan. Explain the Gospel to us that your words may sanctify us truly, and we may live in accord with what we preach.

QUESTION:

  1. How did Jesus ask his Father to keep us from evil?

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