"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS'S PRAYER AND WILL FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM"
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
This chapter is filled with what truly is the "Lord's Prayer" Because, it's Jesus praying to His Father.
It's a tremendously intimate and revealing prayer about the heart of Jesus towards His Father, and towards His mission here on earth, and towards His disciples at that time, and those who would come to faith in the ages to come. Let's just focus on one particular verse. John 17:17 This is one of Jesus's prayers.
1. Jesus prays that the Father would sanctify His disciples.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Another way of saying this, is, "Make them pure and holy" That's what Sanctify means It also has the meaning of setting you apart to God for His exclusive use. So, this is the desire of Jesus, this is the prayer of Jesus, and this is what can happen in the life of those who follow Jesus. It's what Jesus is praying for. Sanctify, or holy, also means, freedom from sin, and moral perfection. God wants You to be as free from sin as you can possibly be, and He wants you to be as morally pure as you can be this side of heaven. This is God's will for each and every believer, It's God's will for you today.
2. Jesus makes you holy by teaching you God's Word.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The answer to Jesus prayer, or the way that God answers Jesus's prayer is through the Word of God. God's pure and holy Word can and will bring about in our lives that same purity and holiness that is in Him. He and His Word are one and the same. And, the Lord wants You to be a partaker of His holiness. You are His child, and He wants His characteristics be be in you, and growing in your life. So, the way this prayer is answered is by the Word of God.
You can see why it's so important to be in the Word of God. It's God's agent of change for His people. God makes you holy, by His Word. But, it's imperative that you are committed to His Word, and You are taking in His Word on a regular basis. God's Daily Bread for Your soul, will change you, and make you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus says that God's Word is Truth.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
So, the progression in this prayer is easily seen. First, Make them Holy. Second, make them holy by Your truth.
And finally an explanation about God's Word truth. Your Word is truth.
The Bible is God's Word, and it's also truth. Here's what Paul said about it.
2nd Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.
Please notice 5 things here about God's Word.
(1) All Scripture is inspired by God
(2) It is useful to teach us what is right, or true.
(3) It is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
(4) It is useful to straighten us out in our lives.
(5) It is useful to teach us do what is right.
There is no other book in the entire world like the Holy Bible. And it will when taken in, and responded to make you Holy, just as Jesus prayed for.
Questions:
1. Isn't it wonderful and encouraging to know that Jesus has and is praying for you.
2. Can you see what Jesus's prayer is for, it's for your life to be made holy, i.e set apart to God?
3. Also, can you see that the way God makes you holy is by and through His Word.
4. And, can you see that unlike any other book in the whole world, His Word is truth, completely inspired by God.
5. Would you take another look at the 5 things listed above about God's Word.
6. And, finally, would you take a moment to express in a brief prayer to God that You desire to be what He wants you to be?
A prayer:
Father, It seems like we are always thanking You for Your Word, and we are. Your Word is our daily bread. It's our life, we cannot truly live without it. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So, thank You for giving us that which gives us life, and changes our lives, and makes them into what You want them to be. We want to go right along with Your prayer Lord Jesus. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Or as it's said in the NLT "Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth." That's our prayer also. In Jesus name, amen.
