John 17:16-18
New American Standard Bible
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 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.
Jesus here is speaking of the disciples. This is His high priestly prayer before going through all He would endure during Calvary. His concern was not only for the disciples, but for all those who would come to saving faith in Him. He is our faithful and compassionate High Priest. Jesus understands us and what we go through more than anyone else. He knows every challenge we will face, He is at the right hand of the Father now interceding for us.
We are not of this world. Our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). Jesus is not of this world. He was born into this world of the virgin Mary, but it was the Holy Spirit who came upon Mary. Jesus never stopped being fully God, but He fully became man when He was born in this world. But He came to lay down His life and all those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ would become sons and daughters of the Living God. This world is not our home, and we must remember that each day we wake up. We are always faced with a choice; to either live fully for Christ or chase after the emptiness of this world.
We are sanctified by the truth. The word sanctify means to consecrate, to make holy, hallow, treat as holy. The word of God is truth. Many in this age will talk about subjective truth. They will use phrases like my truth or your truth. But there is absolute truth, and it is only found one place. It is found in God’s word because it is from Him. He is the creator of all things and therefore He is the only one who has the right to determine what is truth and what is not. Many will reject Him and His word, but because He loves humanity, He has given us freewill. But those who build their lives on the word of God will be transformed and indeed sanctified. The very character and nature of Christ will be produced within us.
Jesus’ prayer is that we would be sanctified. So many today treat their relationship with Christ as a light thing. Many today believe we can claim to love Christ yet live in sin and live against the word of God. If we are truly born again, we will love the word of God, we will build our lives upon it. We will not find ways to try to compromise or justify the sin in our lives. But sadly, there are many who claim to be in Christ who are not born again. They don’t know the true Jesus because if they did, they would repent of their sin and begin to live for Christ daily.
Jesus continues His prayer stating, “as you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”. Jesus prays this for the immediate disciples He had spent His life investing in. But this is also prayed for all of us who find ourselves in this world and we have been given a mission by Jesus. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations. We are sent out into the world. The world is dark, wicked, and sinful. But our mission is to find those who are broken and lost in sin and introduce them to Jesus. We are called to plant seeds and water those seeds, but ultimately it is The Holy Spirit who will bring the increase.
May we never treat this relationship lightly. May we seek after Jesus with our whole heart. May we daily spend time in the word of God and allow the work and person of The Holy Spirit to transform and mold us from the inside out. Jesus desire is we would be sanctified and for this to happen we must surrender daily to the work and person of The Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father help me in my weakness. Help me to turn from anything that is unpleasing to you. Prune my life of everything that would hinder your work and will in my life. Lead, guide, and direct my life by The Holy Spirit. Fill me with your power and strength to fulfill all you desire to do in my life. In the might name of Jesus, Amen!
Reflection:
1. Are there areas of compromise in your life?
2. Have you ever spent time meditating over verse seventeen and what it means to be sanctified?
3. Take time today to seek the Lord for who He is calling you to share the truth of Christ with.
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