Promise Of Protection

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. 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. John 17: 11 NIV

This is Jesus’ Final Farewell prayer for His disciples, before He leaves them in body, to ascend to the Father. Is not Jesus specific in His prayer that He is remaining in this world no longer? This is nothing but, farewell-to-this-world, talk. Take special note, as Jesus speaks of His farewell, from this world, and of Him ascending back to His Father. I will remain in the world no longer.

Jesus is also very mindful and careful to speak to His Father in heaven, about those whom He will be leaving behind in the world. But they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.

Jesus’ prayer is inclusive, for He does not forget, or neglect the fact that He is going and leaving His disciples, to be no longer with them in the flesh. His love for them is complete, Fatherly love, which accepts and ensures responsibility for them, even in His flesh absence. He is singularly passionate and super protective of His disciples, every single one of them. Note how He graciously and specifically asks for His Father to protect them. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me.

Jesus knows the great vulnerability of His own, in the world, as they will be facing enemies and powers greater than themselves. He knows that they cannot take care of themselves against the world, for they will be as sheep before wolves.  He knows that the evils of this world are spiritual and will easily steal His own as prey, when deceivers find out that He will no longer be with them in flesh Body. Has not Jesus left them with the power-words of answered prayer?

Think of it. In Jesus’ final farewell, is He not leaving them with the assurance that they will have the protection of His Father? Is this not a farewell speech which grants unending protection? Most beautiful, gracious and totally stunning, is the promise that rises itself high in this final farewell time. Jesus asks that although He will no longer be with them in flesh and bones, they may be one as we are. Since Jesus has prayed answered prayer, do you not see how, in His last thoughts and words for His disciples, He makes certain that they will be one, just as He and His Father?

Believers in our Ascended Lord Jesus, let us always remember and give unstinting praise and thanks for Jesus’ Final Farewell, for it is because of His leaving us in flesh that we have the sure protection of His Name, and the undiminished certainty of being one, as He and the Father are one.

Rejoice! Give praise and thanks that we are not a Protection-less people.