The Holiness of God the Son, Jesus Christ, part 5

Friends, I hope we have caught a little glimpse into the holiness of Jesus, God’s Son this week, and I hope and pray we will see how He has made it possible for you and me to be holy.

In John 17, when Jesus and His disciples had just eaten the Last Supper, Jesus concludes this meal with what is called His “High Priestly Prayer.” It is a prayer for Himself (verses 1-5) and for His disciples (verses 6-19) and for all believers (verses 20-26). 
 

I believe that chapter, that prayer, is one of the most majestic and beautiful passages in the entire Bible. It takes us right to the heart of Jesus’ parting concern for the work He had come to do, and for the people who would carry it on. 
 

Let’s read John 17:13-26: “Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them. 14 I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 

20 I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation. 25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you. However, I have known you, and they have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them” CSB. 

Think about that: Jesus was praying for YOU! His concern was for your sanctification and mine. He wants us to be made holy in love like Him. We can be participants in His holiness. 
 

How about you? Are you a participant in Jesus’ holiness? You can be today; the first step is to trust Him as your Lord and Savior.  END