Apr 24, 2022
Scripture: John 17:10-17
The first request Jesus makes in this glorious prayer is found in verse 11 … "Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me." Jesus is asking the Father to hold on to these disciples, keeping them aligned with God's name. God's name represents who He is. To be kept 'in His name' is to be drawn to a life which accords with God's character. This fits with Jesus calling on God as Holy Father.
Specifically here, we are called to righteousness ("keep them from the evil one" – Jn 17:15) and to unity ("that they may be one, even as we are one – Jn 17:11,22). God's keeping us is not simply for the ages to come, but for our living now. Our security, both now and forever, rests on the power and mercy of God to hold us fast to Himself. This reality is Paul's strengthening assurance in his last letter … "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom" (2 Tim 4:18).
Jesus had kept these men while He was with them and He did not lose a single man … "not one of them has been lost" (Jn 17:12). There is a contrast being voiced in John 17:12. The contrast is between the men whom Jesus did not lose and Judas, whom Jesus never possessed as His own. Though Judas acted in accordance with what Scripture predicted, he is in no way absolved of his guilt (cf. Lk 22:22).