I LOVE John 17 because it reveals to us the prayer that Jesus prayed for ALL of those who would put their faith, trust and confidence in HIM! Look at verses 8-9:
8 For the [uttered] words that You gave Me I have given them; and they have received and accepted [them] and have come to know positively and in reality [to believe with absolute assurance] that I came forth from Your presence, and they have believed and are convinced that You did send Me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying (requesting) for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they belong to You.
Notice that Jesus said He was NOT praying for the world! Jesus was about to give His very life for the entire world! God "so loved" the world that He sent Jesus (John 3:16 AMP)! Jesus "so loved" the world that He laid down His own life (John 10:17). He has already done everything that He will ever do for the world! Now He is seated in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father making intercession FOR US (Romans 8:34)! His prayer begun here in John 17 continues! Now look at verses 14-19:
14 I 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. 15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And 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.
Notice that Jesus did not intend for us to have nothing to do with the world, but to be a Light TO the world! He has asked the Father to "keep" us. This is the Greek word "tereo", which means: to watch over; to guard from loss or injury. While we are about our Father's business of preaching the Good News, HE is watching over us to keep us in His protection, provision and safety! The only way we are not protected is if we choose to walk out of that protection by turning away from our intimate fellowship with Him! THAT is our part, His is the rest! AMEN! Notice that verse 17 says that God's Word IS Truth, it doesn't just contain Truth. It is by this Truth of His Word that we find everything we will ever need to be successful in this life and to accomplish all that He has given us to do! Now, to finish up, look at verses 20-23:
20 Neither 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, 21 That 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. 22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: 23 I 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.
I shared this so that YOU would know, beyond any doubt from the enemy, that Jesus was praying for YOU! God the Father loves each of us just as much as He loves Jesus! Don't EVER allow the enemy to steal that Truth from you! When you and I fully realize who we are IN HIM, the enemy will tremble and flee from us! The world will stand up and take notice that WE have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13)! AMEN! Here, to encourage you, is Hillsong United with an older song called "All Day":
Shalom in Him!
