Gospel

The Master's Prayer Part 2

by Roland Crim
12/26/16
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“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 you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed 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 that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” John 17:6-12 NIV

Jesus here continues His beautiful prayer to the Father on the eve before His crucifixion.

Jesus revealed and continues to reveal the Heavenly Father to those whom the Father had given to the Son. We belonged to the Father, and the Father gave us to the Son, that we might learn about our Heavenly Father. Because Jesus taught us, we know that He came from the Father, and that He and the Father are One. We have accepted the words of Christ, and are certain of the relationship between the Father and the Son. We know that the Father sent the Son to us, and what the purpose was for the Son to dwell among us as a man.

Jesus does not pray for the world, but for those of us in the world who belong to the Father and to Him. Jesus knew that He was going to the Father, and would no longer be with us in human form. He also knew that we would need protection, protection from the evil one and those who follow Satan. He knew we would remain in the world and face its trials and flaming darts of the evil one. Therefore, Jesus asked the Father to protect us. At a time when Jesus could have most assuredly been more concerned about His impending death, He instead was concerned about our well-being and protection after He returned to the Father. Our Savior truly gave all of Himself for us. His words, along with His actions are a true testament to this fact. Jesus asked the Father to protect us by the power of His name. Is there a name by which we can be better protected? There is none!

Jesus asked for protection for us so that we might be one, just as the Father and the Son are One. We need to be united in advancing the kingdom of God. There is so much work to be accomplished, yet such few laborers to perform the work. We need the protection of our Heavenly Father and Our Savior to do this work.

We can be assured we have the protection of the Father and the Son. We will have times when we fall. We can go back to our Savior, seeking forgiveness, pick ourselves up, and through the indwelling of the Trinity carry on with the important work at hand. God is our protector forever! AMEN!!