The Bible Reading Plan for today included John chapter 17. This chapter of the Gospel of John contains the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples before His death, burial and resurrection. As you will see from the portion we will look at today, He also included US! Each one of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Saviour! Let's read:
John 17:14-23 (KJV)
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.18 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.20 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.22 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.
The Amplified Bible says this:
John 17:14-23 (Amplified)
14I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.
15I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.
16They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.
17Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
18Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth.
20Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
The prayer from the heart of Jesus was that we would be "sanctified", the Greek word, hagiazo, which means: purify, consecrate, separate from profane things (the world) and separate unto God. Then he goes on to tell us HOW the Father will sanctify us: "by the Truth: Your Word is Truth." The Word of God is the ONLY Truth. Anything contrary to the Word of God is NOT the Truth, but a lie. Keep meditating on this passage and let the Holy Spirit build a confidence in the Word of God inside of you that will never be taken away! When God's Word becomes YOUR Truth, you will truly be pleasing to Him and be fulfilling His will for your life!
Shalom in Him!
