What is the meaning of John 17:15? I am not asking Jesus, in His high-priestly prayer, looks directly to the Father. The opening phrase shows deliberate, focused intercession: • John 17:1–3 reveals He prays only what aligns with the Father’s will—He never pleads for something contrary to God’s redemptive plan. • Hebrews 7:25 reminds us that Christ “always lives to intercede,” so this request models His ongoing advocacy for believers. • By saying “I am not asking,” He distinguishes between possible desires of the disciples (escape) and the perfect will of God (mission). that You take them out of the world Remaining on earth is intentional, not accidental: • In John 20:21 Jesus commissions: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Their presence is vital for gospel witness. • Matthew 5:13-16 calls believers “salt” and “light,” roles requiring proximity to a needy world. • Philippians 2:15 pictures believers “shining as lights in the world,” confirming that separation is spiritual, not spatial. • Acts 1:8 promises power “to the ends of the earth,” implying ongoing engagement, not evacuation. but that You keep them Protection, not isolation, is the heart of His petition: • John 10:28-29 assures that no one can “snatch them out of My Father’s hand,” highlighting divine preservation. • 1 Peter 1:5 says we are “shielded by God’s power,” reinforcing the Father’s active guardianship. • Jude 24 celebrates the One “able to keep you from stumbling,” echoing Jesus’ prayer for sustaining grace amid hostile surroundings. Practical implications: – Safety is found in God, not in retreat. – Ongoing mission and divine keeping operate together, never in conflict. from the evil one The danger is personal, not abstract: • 1 John 5:19 states “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one,” confirming Satan’s pervasive influence. • Ephesians 6:11-13 instructs us to “put on the full armor of God” so we can stand against his schemes. • 2 Thessalonians 3:3 promises, “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” Jesus asks for protection against Satan’s deception, accusation, and temptation, not removal from spiritual battle. Victory is assured, yet vigilance is required. summary John 17:15 teaches that Jesus deliberately leaves His followers in the world for gospel impact, while simultaneously securing their safety through the Father’s power against Satan’s attacks. Believers live on mission, confident that the same God who sends them also shields them until their work is complete. |
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