Sanctify Us

In John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples to be faithful even though He was getting ready to leave them. In this prayer He shows deep concern for how they will conduct themselves in the future. There are so many opportunities for us to lose our faith. Let’s take some of what Jesus prayed for and echo it as a prayer for ourselves.

Unity. “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:9-11). 

 

Jesus’ prayer was especially focused on those who followed Him. He certainly still cared about the world—He was getting ready to die for the sins of every person. But His disciples needed special intercession on their behalf. 

 

When Jesus leaves, they will lose His immediate presence and leadership. Will they remain united in purpose and practice or will they crumble? The key to their unity is the same divine leadership. Jesus wants them to be kept in connection to the Father which will keep them connected to each other. There’s no possibility of unity without commitment to God in spirit and truth. 

 

Protection. “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, just as I am not of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). 

 

Jesus gave His disciples a transformative gift—the word of God. The whole time He was with them, He taught them how to live righteously. That will continue in a different way after He leaves. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit will guide them, and this is important. There are forces of evil that will try to tear them away from God. Jesus’ fervent wish is for His disciples to be protected from evil. They have to remain in the world, and Jesus isn’t asking for that to change. But while they live in the world, they must not fall under the sway of Satan. This will only be possible through God’s guidance and protection. 

Holiness. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:17-19). 

 

Divine protection will happen through sanctification, and this verse may serve as the best summary of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples. Sanctification is a type of separation, but not the removal from the world that Jesus already acknowledged wouldn’t happen. Instead, it is a separation of purpose and character. Much like the sanctification of the temple and the utensils and priests within under the law of Moses, Jesus’ disciples were set apart for a special purpose. They could not be like the rest of the world or they would fall victim to the devil like the rest of the world. If they will faithfully keep the word of God, they will join Jesus in His consecration for the Father’s purpose. 

 

Our prayer. While Jesus prayed these words specifically for His disciples who were with Him then, He also extended the prayer to the disciples who would come after them (John 17:20). We are those disciples! If we want to fulfill our God-given purpose, we should echo Jesus’ prayer for ourselves:

 

Father God, we are Your disciples and we love You. We want to be united with You in purpose and character. Draw us closer to You and guide us in righteousness. We know we are not able to overcome Satan on our own, but with You our victory is assured. We don’t have to fall victim to evil because You protect us and separate us. Sanctify us! Make us what we must be to fulfill the purpose You made us for. Transform us by Your word and keep us in the faith. 

 

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