Let's continue to examine Christ's intercessory and priestly prayer, in John chapter 17, looking for the areas of mission that Christ completed. Note the phrase, "I have."
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 fifth point, Christ sent His disciples into the world. John 17:18. Christ was sent to earth on a mission. As He was completing His earthly mission He gave a mission to His disciples. Let's see how Christ prayerfully thought of this in John 17:18.
"As you sent me into the world…" John 17:18 cp. 20:21.
Let's look at how Christ was sent into the world.
• Christ came to be light
(John 1:4-5,9; 8:12 cp. Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16).
• Christ came to be the Savior
(John 17:2-3; 3:16-17; Matthew 1:21; Luke 9:51-56; 19:10; I John 4:14). See John 14:12. Rather than focusing on His miracles, focus on Christ as a soul winner (John 17:20; Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
• Christ came to be a shepherd of His sheep
(John 10:1-30; Hebrews 13:20-21; I Peter 2:25). Christ has given the work of shepherding to us (John 21:15-17; Matthew 28:19-20; John 13:34-35 cp. Acts 20:17,28; I Peter 5:1-5; I Corinthians 12:25; Colossians 3:16; Philippians 2:1-4; I Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11). Consider Jeremiah 33:12.
"…Even so have I also sent them into the world." John 17:18 cp. 20:21.
How did Christ send His disciples into the world?
• To be in the world, but not of the world - sanctified by the truth
(John 17:15-19; I Peter 1:13-16; John 8:30-32; 15:1-8; Galatians 1:3-5; II Timothy 2:1-4; 3:12-17; James 4:1-10; I John 2:15-17).
• To reach others - instilling faith in them
(John 17:20 cp. Romans 1:14-17; 10:9-17; II Corinthians 5:17-21; I Thessalonians 1:5-8).
• To be a powerful demonstration to the world of the love of the Father and of the Son of God (John 17:23; 13:34-35; II Corinthians 5:14-15; I John 3:16-19; 4:7-21).
For further consideration:
John 15:18 - 16:4; John 16:33; Matthew 10; Luke 21:5-19; 24:44-48.
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