13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
John 17:13-19
The Word
In this extensive prayer recorded by John, Jesus prayed for Himself, the disciples, and us, those who believed in Jesus through the words of the disciples. One of the things that Jesus mentioned in His prayer was the word that Jesus has given to the disciples. Today, this word is readily available to us through the Bible. People like unique and special things, they think some experiences that only they have, are more valuable and important. At the time when Jesus spoke these words, only a handful of disciples heard them. Today these words are widely available but that does not affect their importance and power because none of the importance of these words mentioned by Jesus was because only a few knew about it.
The Importance of the Word
- It brings us joy (John 17:13). This is not our joy but Jesus’. This joy is:
- Not fleeing but everlasting.
- Not from material gains but spiritual ones.
- From knowing through His word.
- It gives us the power to live a holy life. Make no mistake, the devil has and will continue to deceive us and lead us away from God. Many may think I know its scheme, but the reality is that just when you think you know the devil’s schemes, it is so much easier for you to fall into its trap. To counter the devil’s scheme, we need God’s word to see the truth.
I pray that we see the importance of God’s word, understand it, treasure it, keep it in our hearts, and pour our lives to obey it.
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