Jesus prayed for his disciples. During his messianic ministry, Jesus revealed God to them—God’s love, righteousness, holiness, power, and hope through his teaching and life. Jesus discipled them in three ways.

First, he ministered the word of God to them and called them to a life of obedience. He showed them, by example, his perfect obedience to God’s word. Through God’s word, they knew that Jesus came from God and that his words were the very words of God.

Second, he prayed that God might protect them. The world hates Jesus’ disciples just as it hated Jesus. The disciples needed God’s protection from the evil one so that they would be one.

Third, Jesus sent them into the world to serve to advance His kingdom. Jesus was leaving his disciples who would remain in the world to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19-20). To serve this mission, they needed to be sanctified by the truth, the word of God. To sanctify means to be set apart and devoted in holiness for sacred use for God. True disciples are those who obey God’s words, pray for God’s protection, and have God’s mission as they are sanctified by the truth.
Application: Sanctify me by your word so that I may serve you and advance your kingdom.
One Word: Jesus sent us into the world