And now I am no more 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. While I was with them,
I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and
none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be
fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world,
that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 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 one. They are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you
did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their
sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.
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Do you know why God created you – what purpose and mission
he has entrusted to you? Jesus' aim and mission was to glorify his heavenly
Father. All he said and did gave glory to his Father. On the eve of his
sacrifice on the cross and in the presence of his disciples, Jesus made his
high priestly prayer: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that they may
be one as we are one". Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples and for
all who would believe in him. Jesus' prayer for his people is that we be united
with God the Father in his Son and through his Holy Spirit and be joined
together, in unity with all who are members of Christ's body.
What motivated Jesus to lay down his life on the cross as
the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world? It was love – love for his
Father in heaven and love for each and everyone of us who are made in the image
and likeness of God. Jesus was sent into the world by his Father for a purpose
and that purpose was a mission of love to free us from slavery to sin, Satan,
fear, death, and hopelessness. Jesus saw glory in the cross rather than shame.
Obedience to his Father's will was his glory. Jesus kept his Father's word even
when tempted to forgo the cross. Jesus did not rely on his own human resources
and strength to accomplish his Father's will. He trusted in his Father to give
him strength, courage, and perseverance in the face of opposition, trials, and
temptation. We also must take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus wherever
he may call us. He will give us the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to
live as his disciples.
Jesus prayed that his disciples would be sanctified and
consecrated in God's truth and holiness. The scriptural word for consecration
comes from the same Hebrew word which means holy or set apart for
God. This word also means to be equiped with the qualities of mind and
heart and character for such a task or service. Just as Jesus was called by
the Father to serve in holiness and truth, so we, too, are called and equipped
for the task of serving God in the world as his ambassadors. God's truth frees
us from ignorance and the deception of sin. It reveals to us God's goodness,
love, and wisdom. And it gives us a thirst for God's holiness. The Holy Spirit
is the source and giver of all holiness. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in
our lives, he transforms us by his purifying fire and changes us into the
likeness of Christ. Is your life consecrated to God?
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“Lord Jesus, take my life and make it wholly pleasing to
you. Sanctify me in your truth and guide me by your Holy Spirit that I may
follow you faithfully wherever you lead.”
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