Hey, friends! Today I want to share with you some insights on protection from John 17, one of the most amazing chapters in the Bible. It records the prayer that Jesus prayed to his Father right before he was arrested and crucified. It's like listening to the heart of Jesus as he pours out his love, his concerns, and his requests for his disciples and for us.
One of the things that struck me as I read this prayer is how much Jesus cares about our protection. He knows that we live in a hostile world that hates him and his followers. He knows that we face many dangers, temptations, and trials that could harm us or make us fall away from him. He knows that we have an enemy who wants to destroy us and separate us from God's love.
That's why He prayed this in verse 11: "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one." And again, in verse 12: "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 headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold."
Wow! Think about that for a moment. Jesus prayed for our protection by the power of God's name. The name of God is not just a word or a label. It represents His character, His authority, His presence, and His promises. When we call on the name of God, we are invoking all that He is and all that He has done for us. We are claiming His protection over our lives.
Jesus also said that He protected His disciples by the name that God gave Him. What is that name? It's Jesus, which means "the Lord saves". Jesus is the name above every name, the name at which every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Jesus is the name that saves us from our sins and gives us eternal life. Jesus is the name that protects us from evil and empowers us to do his will.
Jesus also prayed for our protection so that we may be one as He and the Father are one. Unity is a precious gift that God gives to His people. Unity is also a powerful witness to the world that we belong to Him and that He loves us. Unity is also a safeguard against division, deception, and distraction that could weaken our faith and our mission.
Jesus protected His disciples while He was with them physically on earth. He taught them, guided them, corrected them, encouraged them, and loved them. He also defended them from their enemies and shielded them from harm. He even took control of His own arrest and made sure that none of His disciples were involved or injured.
But Jesus also knew that He was leaving them soon. He was going to die on the cross, rise from the dead, and ascend to heaven. He was going to send them the Holy Spirit to be their helper, teacher, and comforter. But He also wanted them to know that He would never stop protecting them. He would always intercede for them before the Father's throne. He would always watch over them with His loving eyes. He would always be with them until the end of the age.
And guess what? That's true for us too! If you are a follower of Jesus, you have His protection over your life. You have His name as your refuge and your strength. You have His Spirit as your guide and your friend. You have His Word as your lamp and your sword. You have His church as your family and your support. You have His promise as your hope and your joy.
So don't be afraid of what you may face in this world. Don't let discouragement or doubt rob you of your peace and confidence in Him. Don't let sin or temptation lure you away from His love and grace. Don't let anything or anyone separate you from Him or from each other.
Remember what Jesus prayed for you in John 17:15-16: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."
You are not of this world, my friend. You are of Jesus. And He will protect you until He brings you safely home to Him.
Thanks for reading this blog post! I hope it blessed you and inspired you to trust in Jesus more. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to share them below. And if you liked this post, please share it with others who may need some encouragement today. See you tomorrow when we learn more about what Jesus prays on Sanctification
God bless you!
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