The Gospel Of John Chapter 17 Pt. 5

In our last post, we noted that Jesus declared that His disciples would be sanctified by the truth contained in the scriptures. 

We studied several different texts from the Old and New Testaments to illustrate what Jesus was saying. 

In this lesson, Jesus will add some additional explanation concerning our need to be sanctified by the Word.

We are sent into the world to be witnesses and we must be cleansed. 

John 17:18-19  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19)  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  

The word "sanctify" means to consecrate, to separate from the profane culture, and to be dedicated to God and His service.

Jesus tells us why ongoing sanctification is needed. He was sending His disciples (including us) out into the world, to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Ongoing sanctification is God's plan for each Christian. 

Ephesians 5:26-27  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Anytime we interact with the culture and lost people, we can become defiled. This is why we need ongoing sanctification.  

Jesus cleanses and purifies His church, which is composed of all individual Christians, no matter where they live. 

He sanctifies us, cleanses us and washes us clean from the pollution of the world, by His Word. 

His purpose is that when He calls us home to heaven, we will be a spotless, cleansed people, saved by the blood of the Lamb. 

Although we cannot take time to delve into it, this is why the apostles give us imperatives from God. 

We are saved by grace with the expectation that we will live to serve and glorify Jesus Christ. 

Jesus prayed for Christians to be united together by faith in Christ. 

John 17:20-21  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21)  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

What blessed words Jesus spoke! The phrase "Neither pray I for these alone" are words that mean His prayer is not restricted to His disciples.  Jesus includes all generations of sinners who come to repentant faith in Him. 

Though it has been about 2,000 years since Jesus walked on this planet, He still prayed for you and me. He is God manifest in the flesh and His knowledge of the future is always full and complete. 

Jesus brings more clarity to this aspect of His priestly prayer. He is praying for all people who will believe on Him through the apostolic preaching. 

When the Bible is opened up to be read, preached or taught, we are reading apostolic truth.  We are hearing what Jesus says to us in this day, through those Spirit guided men. 

The prayer of our Savior is that all Christians bask in the unity we have with Christ through His indwelling Spirit, and that we might enjoy new life in Christ, to the fullest. 

Christians are commanded to keep the unity of the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:1-3  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2)  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3)  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Jesus spoke often of His oneness with His Father, and each Christian is united with Jesus Christ through the indwelling Spirit of God. 

This is why the apostles spoke about preserving the unity of the Spirit. Jesus said we would be known as His disciples by our love for each other and by keeping His commandments. 

When professing Christians do not love one another, then unity is lost. When we do our own fleshly things, instead of obeying Christ's commands, then unity is lost. 

The glory, unity and love of the Godhead with us.

John 17:22-23  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23)  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 

When Christians are committed to keeping Christ's commandments and when we love one another, we experience the glory and love of God. 

Through the Comforter, Jesus is in us and we are in Christ. Jesus wants to make us perfect in this beautiful unity of faith in Christ. 

The Holy Spirit of God living in us, makes a vast difference in what we think, say and do. 

He is going to produce fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). 

He is going to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). 

Jesus wants us to see and rejoice in His glory.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 

Jesus specifically prayed for all Christians to be with Jesus and the Father in heaven. What a blessed thought that Jesus is so eager to have us home in heaven with Him! 

Let this thought bring comfort to each of us when we become weary in well doing, or when troubles come our way. Jesus loves us so much and He is eagerly waiting for each one of us to be home with Him!

Christ regards it as glory for us to see and gaze for ever upon His glory! This fills us with great hope because one day, “we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Thoughts to Ponder...

John 17:25-26  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26)  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. 

The prayer of Jesus as our high priest ends with words of blessing, Each believer in Christ knows the Father, through faith in Christ. 

When we see Jesus work in the gospels, we see the Father work. 

When we hear Jesus speak, we hear the Father speak. 

When we see Jesus' love and compassion for lost sheep, we see the Father's heart. 

This wonderful, glorious, eternal love of the Father, displayed in Christ, is imparted to us by His Spirit. He takes up His permanent abode in all that believe in Jesus Christ.   

As Christ abides in us and we in Him, we are untied by His Spirit (John 15:5). 

With such sublime heavenly thoughts, Jesus closed His prayer for His disciples, and for His Church through all ages.

May these words cause us to express praise to the Lord. May our hearts be stirred to live for His glory. May we seek the Holy Spirit's work in us, such that His fruit is manifest in us. 

Bob