We continue our study of the Gospel of John, picking up at verse 12, of chapter 17. The Apostle has recorded the prayer of Jesus unto our Abba Father as He was preparing to leave the Last Supper.
Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one.” John 17: 12 -15.
Jesus prayed aloud so that His Disciples could hear Him. He wanted them, and us, to know clearly of the power that is in His name. When we believe that this name is the name given to our Lord by our Holy Father, the Most High, and respect the position it bestowed upon Him, and walk-in trust in it, and believe it is the name above every name, we have power unparalleled. He said, “I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” Joy is mentioned often by the Lord, because it is something He wants us to have. Regardless of what is going on, He wants us to have the joy of knowing “In Him, All is well,” He says unto us “remain in my love, and your joy is complete.” (John 15:11)
As He prays, He reminds us that we are not of this world. When we walk with Christ Jesus in our hearts, we are lifted above the fallen world. We are physically in it, but our soul and our spirit are not. Our soul and our spirit have already crossed over into the kingdom. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” ( John 5:24 )
As He prayed, He wanted them, and us, to know His prayer. He sends us into the world to tell the Good News, but He knows how dangerous it is. He knows we can easily fall into the flesh instead of walking with the spirit, and be caught up in the world, and the acts of the flesh. (See Galatians 5: 19-21) So He prays for protection from the evil one for them – as He does for us. Protection is ours as we walk in His name, and in the joy He provides as we do. In Him, we shall enjoy the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is full measure of joy within.
This is His prayer for us. Let us be in a prayer of agreement with Him as we pray, and receive His loving protection. He loves us So.