“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into
the world.” (John 17:18 )
Christ’s prayer recorded in John 17 was for all His people
(v.20). His commission is for every
disciple of all the ages. Yet, I think as
there was a direct application to those eleven disciples (plus one
counterfeit), there is a practical dimension for God’s preacher today. Imagine, man of God—the Lord of glory
standing with eyes upraised to heaven, mere hours from the agony of the cross and
He prays for you!
His heart was to glorify the
Father and fulfill His mission. “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given
Me to do.” (John 17:4 ) Can we think of a greater goal—that in all
our life and work we aim at the glory of God and faithfully finishing our
assignment?
Eternal life can only be found in
the Son of God (v.3). Those the Father
gives the Son in His sovereign grace will come to Him (v.2), but manifesting
that salvation to sinners in view of their becoming saints is our duty
(v.6). Of the many good things I might
do in ministry, I must not forget the worth of a soul. Heaven is real and hell is also—and the
proclamation of the life-changing Gospel is imperative and urgent.
God has entrusted us with the sacred
message. “ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they
have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they
have believed that You sent Me.” (v.8)
This is the treasure of truth contained in clay pots, and meant to be
preserved in its purity—undiluted truth—and proclaimed in its power—unleashed
truth.
Not all will be happy to hear the
truth (v.14). They will loathe the
mirror of God’s Word in the manner in which the evil queen in the Snow White
fairy tale hated to hear what the mirror on the wall honestly spoke. There is a sanctifying power in the Word
(v.17), and many would rather roll in the mud like an old hog—comfortable
according to their nature. To those who
respond, however, the truth is transformative (v.19-20). Should persecution arise, Christ will
preserve us until our task is done (v.11-12), for we belong to Him and are
loved by Him as the Father loves the Son (v.23-26). When our mission is accomplished we are
summoned to dwell in the eternal glory, face to face with Christ!
While the world hates us and the
message is polarizing, let us seek to foster love and preserve unity among the
people of God. It was the earnest
petition of Jesus and merits our deliberate effort (v.21-23). A pugnacious preacher in spirit, always
splitting theological hairs, and looking for a reason to cause strife is guilty
of a severe sin. To attack the Bride of
Christ is an assault on Christ Himself who is one with her. When the world sees our schisms, and hears
venom more than grace from the pulpit, no wonder they scoff at our
sermons! There may come a time when
truth, even spoken in love, angers church members who reject it—and reject us—let
us love nonetheless. If we part company
may there be no bitterness on our part, only grief as a spurned lover. This is maximum ministry—the mandate given by
our Master, and His prayer for His men.
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