In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed amazing words concerning His disciples… “I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth: Your Word is truth… nor do I pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on Me through their word” (John 17:14-20).
Three great truths fill this prayer. First is that God’s truth sanctifies us (sets us apart from the world). While the world swallows the deceptions of those hell-bent on denying the reality of God, Believers stand on the solid Rock of Jesus through the Word of God.
Second is that those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord are not of this world, even as Jesus is not of this world. Our citizenship was transferred to Heaven and the longer we live, the more we confess this world is not our home. We are truly “strangers and pilgrims.”
Thirdly, Jesus didn’t just pray for His disciples at that time in history – He prayed for you and for me. He looked down the halls of time and prayed for all who would trust Him. Even now, He intercedes for us, working all things together for good, from Heaven’s throne-room. Could we be any more victorious than to have the King of Heaven loving us so much He died to save us and lives to keep us?
Eternal truth, Heavenly citizenship, and Heaven’s help until we reach our Home. Let it sink in.
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