The Lodestar

To lead a life pleasing to Christ, our Lord, we need to know what he expects from us, as expressed in his prayers for his disciples.

Prayers express our hopes and aspirations. This is true of Jesus Christ as well. John 17 records Jesus' lengthiest prayer, also known as his high priestly prayer. In this passage, Jesus prays for himself (verses 1-5), for his disciples whom he is going to leave behind (6-19), and then for those who will believe in Jesus through the ministry of his disciples (20-26).

Jesus’ prayer for our security, as seen in his intercession for the disciples (verses 6—19), is a source of great comfort and assurance. He uses the word ‘protect’ three times (17:11, 12, 15), highlighting his concern for the safety of his disciples. They are in a hostile world (16:33) that opposes the gospel.

This truth that our security is a prime concern for Jesus brings immense comfort, especially to those facing opposition in their lives and ministries. It empowers Christ-followers to venture into dangerous, risky, and impossible tasks, knowing they are under their Lord's protective care.

Second, Jesus wants us to be sanctified by God (17:17—19). Sanctification is not just about being set apart but about being chosen for a special purpose by God. For example, the sanctified vessels of the Tabernacle are taken from a larger pool of vessels but selected for service in God’s temple.

They are considered sanctified since they are now owned and used by God. Jesus prays that his disciples are entirely set apart for God’s use and owned by Him. Whether they serve Christ in the church, the parachurch, or any secular field, all Christ-followers must know that they belong to Christ and serve his purposes in their engagement. Christ has lent us to the places of our work. This demands that we conduct in a manner worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27).

Christ is not just looking for followers, but solid and sanctified lives fully surrendered to him. This is not a passive role but an active commitment to live in a way that reflects our dedication to Christ. Let us strive to be one of them, fully embracing the challenge and the reward of living a life pleasing to Christ.