Sanctified And Sent

John 17:12-19

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.

Notes

The Lord revealed that His disciples were gifts from the Father and that He would be glorified in them. The author, John, earlier revealed that God gave His Son to the world so that those who believed would have eternal life (John 3:16). God gave His Son as a gift, and He gave each disciple as a gift to His Son. The Lord prayed for the disciples’ protection and unity.

The Lord Jesus intercedes for His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. Jesus prayed for their preservation, sanctification, and mission. Jesus revealed that His truth sanctifies the disciples, which will make the world hate them. But instead of removing them from the world, He prayed that they would be protected from evil.

1. Kept in His Name

   The Lord mentioned that He kept and guarded the disciples the Father had given. None were lost except the one born to fulfill the role of betraying, Judas. The Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, whom He would leave when He returned to the Father.

   
   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 (John 17:12-13).

   Application: Our assurance in Christ allows us to rest in faith, knowing that the Good Shepherd is our shepherd. He will keep and guard us. Moreover, let us exalt the Father, who fulfilled His purpose in Christ. His sovereignty overshadows men's evil intent. By His grace, true believers will persevere until the end.

   
   

2. Not of the World

   The Lord Jesus explained that the word He gave the disciples led to the world hating them. His word made the disciples not of this world. Jesus prayed that the Father would keep them from the evil one. The word turned them like Christ, not of this world.
   
   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 (John 17:14-16).

   Application: As genuine believers, our identity is anchored in Christ, not the world. His word sets us apart because it transforms our minds and hearts. God's work in our lives through His word distinguishes us from the ways of the world, which are sin and self-righteousness.

3. Sanctified and Sent

   Jesus prayed that the disciples would be sanctified in the truth, His word. The word sanctified means to set apart, to be made holy for God. The Lord prayed that the disciples would be one, as the Father and the Son are one, and then He said that He sent them into the world as the Father sent the Son.

   
   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 17:17-19).

   Application: Genuine believers are sanctified through God’s word. The Father sent the Son to fulfill the ultimate work on the cross, and the Son then sent those who believed to fulfill the mission of proclaiming the gospel. We have a purpose: to glorify the Father and Son by preaching the gospel and nurturing the disciples.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What sanctifies the disciples? What does it mean?

2. How does the word affect the disciples concerning the world?

3. How does Jesus send His disciples? Explain the significance.