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Covering the whole chapter of John 17 (vv. 1-26), the high priestly prayer of our Lord Jesus is the longest prayer in the New Testament.  It was offered just before our Lord’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night before His crucifixion.  As He faced His impending death, our Saviour expressed His love for His disciples and commended them to the loving care and blessing of the God of all grace.

Christ spoke to His Father of His apostles (Jn. 17: 6-10)

“I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world:  Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word.   Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee.   For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.   I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine.    And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them” (vv.  6-10).

In verses 6-10, Jesus spoke to His Father of those whom “Thou gavest me out of the world.”  Four times in this short passage, the idea of God giving them to His Son is mentioned.  This highlights the doctrine of electing grace.   We understand from John 6: 37 that there would be a number, who would surely and infallibly come unto Him: “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”

The apostles were given to Christ to learn of His doctrines, to be witnesses of His life and miracles, and to be trophies of His grace that they might proclaim the Gospel, build His church and extend His kingdom. 

How did the disciples feel when they heard their beloved Master speak so lovingly of them to His Father; for they must have known that He was referring to them:  “the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.”  How did Christ speak of the apostles to His Father?  Did He say negative things about them?  Did He tell of their doubts, their pride and contentious spirit?  No, He did not.  He never uttered one ill word against them.  He was not their accuser, but their Intercessor.  Graciously, He said, “They have kept Thy word … and they have believed that Thou didst send Me."

In His three-year ministry with them, their Master denied Himself by putting aside His own comforts and feelings, that He might instruct and edify them.  When about to leave them, He could confidently declare to His Father that He had faithfully discharged His trust: “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.”

“The Lord Jesus watches over the men whom the Father has given Him out of the world!  Who would not water the plants, or nourish the lambs, that a beloved friend had entrusted to his care!  Much more would he show kindness to his friend’s children if they were left to his guardianship.  But no guardian was ever so watchful, no teacher so patient, no nurse so tender as Jesus ever has been to the men whom the Father has given Him ‘out of the world’” – F L Mortimer.   

The Lord pleaded for His apostles on the basis that “they are Thine.”  “They are Thy sheep.  Wilt Thou not care for Thine own?  Wilt Thou not guard them against the world and the devil?  Wilt Thou not preserve them until the very end?”

What encouragement for those who are cast down, if they could hear the prayers of their Intercessor at the Father’s right hand:  “Who is he that condemneth?  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8: 34).  

“If the change already wrought in their hearts brings glory to Jesus, how much more will their perfection!  Could we see the diamond as it was found in the mine, we should know how to appreciate the jeweller’s skill.  How unlike is the dull and rough stone to the gem that shines with liquid lustre in the monarch’s crown!  But not so unlike as the one dark, polluted, guilty soul, is to the pure and bright spirit now rejoicing in the presence of Jesus.  When millions of such happy beings surround the throne, with what rapture will their Saviour say, “I am glorified in them”  – F L Mortimer.

(… to be continued)
         
- Pastor