1. Christ glorified the Father and finished the work given by the Father. John 17:1-4

2. Christ manifested (declared) the name of the Father unto His disciples. John 17:6,26

3. Christ gave the disciples the words and the word of the Father. John 17:8,14

4. Christ kept the disciples (gathered, taught and protected them). John 17:12

5. Christ sent His disciples into the world. John 17:18

6. Christ gave the disciples glory (i.e. a unifying purpose and power which comes from the Father and glorifies the Father). John 17:1,5,22

7. Christ knew the Father (i.e. was intimate with the Father and confessed Him to others). John 17:25-26

This time our focus is on the fourth point, Christ kept the disciples (gathered, taught and protected them). John 17:12. As a shepherd, Christ gathered his disciples and taught them in precept and by example. He also protected them from many negative influences, including their own ignorance, fears and impulses. What Christ did for them, in His earthly ministry, He still does for us today by His Spirit and by His Word. Let's look at the Shepherd caring for His sheep.

"…I was with them in the world…" John 17:12.

• See Christ's humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-8).
• See His grace (II Corinthians 8:9 cp. vs. 7).
• See that He is still with us today in Spirit and through the Scriptures (John 14:16-18; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:19-20; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 3:16-17; John 6:63; 15:7). Christ also manifests Himself through the fellowship of the believers (Matthew 18:20; Revelation 3:20, 22).

"…I kept them in thy name…" John 17:12.

• Christ did not come to promote Israel's national and religious interests.
He came to reveal the glory, grace and truth of His Father (John 1:10-14).

He came to lead His people to worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24 cp. 2:13-17; Matthew 21:12-16).
As Christ revealed the Father, the Father drew people to his Son and revealed to them the truth about Jesus (John 6:36-40; note vs. 36, the Greek word for "see" means "to stare", i.e physical vision. In vs. 40, it is a different Greek word that means "to carefully note detail" cp. Matthew 16:16-17; II Corinthians 3:18). See also John 6:44-45; Matthew 13:13-16.

• Christ worked in coordination with His Father (John 5:19-23).
He received the disciples as a gift from the Father (John 6:37).
He gave them His words with power (John 6:63).

• Christ gives new life in this life and in the world to come.
By going to the cross and rising from the dead, Christ is able to give them (and us) a new life instantly and to raise them (and us) from the dead in the future (John 5:25-30; 6:37-40; 11:25-26; 12:31-33; 14:1-6, 19-20, 23).

• Christ will make His disciple's lives fruitful (John 10:7-10, 27-30; 15:1-8, 16).

"…None of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." John 17:12.

There are some who appear to follow Christ, but they do not have that intimate and powerful relationship of a true believer. They eventually show what is in their heart and go back to the world and its sinful ways (John 17:12 b cp. 6:64-71). See also John 15:1-6; Matthew 7:21-23; 15:12-14; Luke 8:16-18; II Peter 2:20-22; I John 2:18-19.

Note: Christ has defeated Satan power. Christ defends us from Satan's attacks. See Luke 10:17-20; 22:31-32 cp. Colossians 2:6-15; I John 2:12-14; 3:8 (Hebrews 2:14-15); I John 4:4; 5:18; II Timothy 4:16-18 (I Peter 5:8).

A wonderful benediction: Hebrews 13:20-21.