John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
 
Jesus says, “Sanctify them…”  It’s a good thing he doesn’t teach in our churches today. Too many label “sanctify” as a “churchy” word, too complicated to understand. There seems to be a fear that such Bible-based words will keep people away from church. “Sanctify” (or some versions of the Bible use “consecrate” “dedicate” or “set apart”) though, must be taught. It is necessary for your salvation. Let’s understand why this is true.
   First of all, God sanctified a particular man Abraham to be the father of a people. God sanctified the people Israel to be the nation to display his glory. Out of the sanctified Israel came the Savior. Second, in the Old Testament, “sanctify” points to God-specific actions, so Israel would learn of God’s holy character. For example, God called his people to an assembly after they have left Egypt. Exodus 19:10-11 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” They had to follow specific rules to go into God’s presence.
   Other sanctifying acts include establishing the Levite tribe to be God’s priests. Articles in the tabernacle, too, were sanctified to teach and remind Israel they worshiped a holy God. Even the Promised Land was a land sanctified to display God as Provider for his chosen people.
   Second, in the New Testament “sanctify” is both a one-time and an ongoing action. At one particular time the Spirit acts to sanctify you to be in God’s eternal holy presence. When you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. (Romans 10:9) the Spirit of God has dedicated you into God’s kingdom. 1 Corinthians 1:2 to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours.
   From that miraculous moment, you then begin an ongoing sanctifying journey. God has set your life on a faith track as the Lord has dedicated you to a fruitful life. Through growing knowledge of God, you come to love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. You understand more deeply God’s holy character. A sanctifying walk with God leads you to God’s Promised Land of the Spirit’s abundant power and blessings. You rejoice with awe and wonder the holy God has set you apart, made you holy to be in his presence.
   Jesus, of course, knows the disciples are set apart. They are about to begin a new, even terrifying and always joyful journey to make disciples of all the nations. Jesus prays their lives will be dedicated to display God’s holiness in the sanctifying gospel. The Son set apart as Savior, sanctifies himself through the cross. In awe and wonder of his resurrection, Jesus’ disciples will more faithfully love and serve their Lord God.
   Do you believe Jesus is your Savior? Then rejoice God has sanctified you. Know a sanctified life is God’s gift to you. Be eager to tell people, “By God’s grace, I am sanctified in Jesus’ blood. Can I tell you why that fills my heart with love, peace and joy?”  
 
Prayer: With gratitude in my heart, Lord, I pray you will sanctify me more and more to be as Jesus. In his name I pray, amen.
 

John 17:13-16 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within my disciples. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
 
ONE reason for Jesus’ prayer is to, “say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”  Jesus words will lead to full joy in his disciples. There is joy in the full knowledge of Jesus.
   But how can the disciples have joy as they witness the cross? How will joy find room in their hearts when their beloved Jesus is gone?
   What is joy? Jesus connects joy to an active love for him and for others. For example, he taught complete joy comes in response to obeying his commands: John 15:10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” And Luke reports Jesus is joyful the Father blesses his disciples to heal. It is evidence their “names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20c) Joy is the sum of a faithful life in complete agreement with the Lord. Joy is to experience God's special care and protection. You celebrate in your heart the victory over death God brings to you now and forever.   
   The disciples will know this complete joy when they see the resurrected Lord ascended to heaven. There is no greater intimacy with Christ than to know, “Jesus is my Savior. In him I have eternal life.”
   Joy, too, is a shield to protect our souls. As God keeps us on earth to speak and live out the gospel, we know people will oppose us. Some are silent. Some are verbal. Many turn from us as we strive to be faithful to Jesus’ commands. If you experience this faithful relationship with Jesus, remain in joy. Know the Lord is your Shepherd. He provides all you need. He has prepared an eternal home for you. This life last but a while. Live in joy knowing you do not live in the world’s dark valleys of sin.
   In joy do as Jesus has done because you know you are going where Jesus has gone.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the joy of your salvation. I pray I know this joy deep in my heart. Amen.  

John 17:912 “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 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. 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 doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
 
JESUS’ ministry was empowered with prayer for the Jews and the world. He has taught us prayer is necessary for all circumstances. He has even commanded in Matthew 5:44-45 “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
   Prayer helps us be unified as God’s people, regardless of the many things that separate us. Sometimes we pray for the world. Sometimes we pray specifically for one person or a particular group of people. This is what Jesus does here.
   Yes, Jesus is interceding, praying specifically for his disciples. As God has chosen them to be Jesus’ disciples, they have specific work to do on earth. In that work the disciples need God’s wisdom, power and protection as their Good Shepherd leaves them.
   This help will come from the Helper (Holy Spirit) in the name of the Lord God Almighty. This is the “I AM” God of creation. He is the one who protected the Hebrews in Egypt and freed them from bondage. I AM protected his people, despite their sins, in the desert wanderings. He protected them under his name as they were in Babylon’s exile. The Lord God protected his people and empowered them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city for God’s glory.
   Now the Lord God has called 12 men (Judas will be replaced) to build his church on earth. Jesus prays for them specifically because they will need God’s specific care and power to do their world-changing work.
   See how Jesus’ presence has protected these men. Remember that soon Jesus will be arrested. Peter will deny Jesus. Satan will sift the disciples in an effort to destroy their faith and break their relationship with the Son and Father.
   But Jesus prays against that. All that has happened to this point has been in God’s authority to do his will on earth. Jesus prays that will continue as the disciples come under God’s protective care.
   Learn from Jesus’ prayer. We must always be diligent to pray for the world at large. And we must be particular to pray for people we know. Pray for God to protect your loved ones. Pray protection for your country, your community and your church. Prayer is a mighty weapon against evil’s constant assaults.
   Pray, too, that your words and works will glorify God. What you say and do as Jesus’ disciple is very important to help your family, church, neighbors and even your enemies see Jesus. You glorify God when people see his magnificent love, grace and mercy through you. Be as one with the Son and Father. Display the Holy God to a world in need.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your protection in the saving arms of Jesus. I pray that each thing I do brings praise to your name. Amen.
 

John 17:6-8 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me, and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”
 
AFTER Jesus has spent some time challenging his disciples to understand his teachings, his prayer now acknowledges their faith. Three important truths are in this passage.
   First, the disciples know God. Faithful to the Father, Jesus has revealed God to them. Remember how Jesus has repeatedly taught he ministers in the Father’s words: John 12:49 “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.”  He has spoken heaven’s words as heaven directed. The disciples have received the Father’s knowledge. Consider, Christian, that your knowledge of God originates in God. He has so loved you, he has come to teach you of himself. When we know God, we know how to live in faith every day.
   Second, in addition to knowledge, Jesus confirms the disciples’ faith originated with God’s choice. They have always belonged to the Father as all creation does. God’s authority is sovereign to move his creation, including any one person, in any way and purpose he desires. These disciples were in the world with all humanity. Then God brought them into a new place of faith. When Jesus had said, “Come, follow me.” calling his disciples to ministry, the Father had already appointed them. Jesus acted to fulfill the Father’s choice. As you have faith in God, know your faith originates with God. You are his creation. He has chosen you from among the world to believe in Jesus as God’s Son, Savior and Redeemer.
   God’s third truth here is the disciples know Jesus came from the Father. In a number of circumstances over three years of learning, the disciples have confessed the Lord’s authority over their lives, disease and nature. Yes, Jesus knows their faith will be tested. But in God their faith is now secure as they believe Jesus is the Son of God, who has come from heaven.
   Remember that John 17 is Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. We see him as the High Priest. The priestly function formed in God’s law was to intercede for God’s people. Priests would offer sacrifices, prayers of praise, confession, and petition that God’s people would know the Lord’s blessings. Jesus is the High Priest thanking the Father for choosing them to know God.
   Jesus loves his disciples. He wants them safe with the Father. The same is true for you today. How do you respond to the one who so loves you?
   “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Hebrews 3:1)  
   Yes, in all circumstances fix your eyes on Jesus. He knows you. He loves you.
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so very grateful you have chosen me to be your disciple. I love you. I pray I live in joy, worshiping you in all I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
  
 
 

John 17:1-6 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
 
OUR Lord has just challenged the disciples to fully believe him. He has also assured them of the Father’s presence with himself. Jesus’ conversation with his disciples about his leaving recorded from John 13-16 has ended. Now it’s time for Jesus to converse with the Father before he goes to the cross.
   In his prayer, Jesus’ restates the purpose of his work recorded several times in John. “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” Think of this. Jesus sees the cross as a means to glorify God, his Father in heaven. To glorify is to praise, worship and exalt. Because of the cross, today the name of Jesus is worshiped in his church. We exalt the name of Jesus above all names as we confess he is Savior, Priest and King. We can believe and say this because the Son completed his sacrificial work the Father gave him to do on earth. For Jesus’ church to be his church, we must know he is the one we glorify as we minister the gospel. This is why Peter could preach in Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
   Then know that Jesus’ prayer of exaltation is more about the Father. When the Son is praised, the Father is praised. When the Son obeys, the Father’s will is done on earth. When the Son acts into his mission, all nations will know God so loved the world. His chosen people throughout the world will worship him.
   Jesus prays, too, for his return to heaven. He desires to leave earth’s limitations to again be with the Father. In heaven, Jesus will return to live in the glorified – exalted –  form as risen Lord and Savior. The work is done. It is time to fully reunite with the Father.
   What great comfort this is for us. The Son of God knows how perfect heaven is in his Father’s presence. He will no longer need to deal with unbelieving religious rules, cautious disciples and a world groaning in its sins. He has come to redeem the world. He knows that process is beginning. With his work done, the King wants to return to heaven’s throne room. The Son desires to be with the Father. In turn, as we read more of this prayer, we will see the Savior wants to live joyfully with those who are saved.
  
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your faithful obedience to the Father. I am grateful you are in heaven, at the Father’s right hand, prepared to draw all your people to you. Amen.
 

John 16:29-33 Then Jesus' disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31 “You believe at last!” Jesus answered. 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

WE continue in regard to the disciples’ faith statement here. They have spoken, “We believe.” But Jesus, in effect, contradicts them. He knows the next thing they will do is flee from the arrest, the trial and the cross. To indicate they faithfully believed Jesus, they would need to remain steadfast to support him through the cross. Their words do not agree with how they will soon act.
   Here’s a response to this passage from Dr. R.C. Sproul:
 
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ confession was one of righteous indignation. When Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?” it’s almost as if He were saying: “Oh, now you believe? Where have you been for the past three years? Where were you when I told you that the Son of Man had to go forth to die?” Then he said to them to again affirm what would happen: “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone.” 
 
This was a dire prediction. He said in essence, “You may be full of belief and trust now, but it isn’t going to last. When you see the swords of the Roman soldiers being brandished in the moonlight, you’re going to run for your lives, and you’re going to leave Me alone.”
 
   Yes, the disciples spoke their faith, but Jesus knew they would be unfaithful to their own confessions.
   Still, there is hope. With, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” the Lord assures the disciples that ultimate victory is in him. This would require unshakeable faith, “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1)
   Such faith gives us eyes to see life eternal through the persecution and suffering discipleship may bring to us. Pray you are prepared. Pray you believe and are steadfast.
 
Prayer: Father in heaven, I believe in you. I believe and understand your call on my life. I pray my faith knows who you are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

John 16:25-30 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
 
THE disciples have not been able to completely grasp Jesus’ going away. To help them see their future without him, Jesus has sometimes used illustrations that relate what we see on earth to what we will know in heaven. For example: John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Yet, the disciples still ask wondering questions. John 14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” They do not understand.
   With the cross quickly approaching, Jesus becomes the urgent, insistent Teacher. He wants to sharpen their minds with sharper language, “I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.”  “Be alert.” he effectively says. “It’s really not that hard to understand.” His method is not to change his language as much as it is to awaken the disciples’ ears to listen. Here is effectively what he wants them to plainly hear:
   “In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.” Jesus is telling the disciples they all will have complete access to the Father. You won’t need me to ask for you. You will be as close to the Father as I am. I will still intercede, pray for you, but you will be joined with the Father as I am.”
   Second, Jesus teaches, “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” This is a significant change in the disciples’ view of God. Remember how Jesus has declared his love for the Father and the Father’s love for him. Jesus now says that same love from God will come to them!
   Third, Jesus summarizes his gospel ministry. “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” How much more plain can he be? This is what the disciples witnessed and will witness in the future as they stand by the resurrected Lord, then watch him ascend to heaven.
   What are the disciples going to do with this strong, personal three-point message? Of course, they will say, “Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” They want to please the Teacher.
   But, are they just believing in Jesus now? The evidence will show they still don’t understand. They will flee from Jesus in Gethsemane. Only John, it seems, is at the cross. And not one of them expected to see Jesus alive after the cross. They were emotionally strained in that room, and they were spiritually immature. God would continue to work on them to “that day” when the risen Jesus and the Holy Spirit unified their minds to truly know, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  
   How about you? Are you getting this? Do you know who Jesus is? Really? What then, are you doing about your belief?
 
Prayer: Help me Lord with my unbelief. Awaken my soul, Spirit, to know and believe. Amen.
  
 

John 16:23-24 “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.”

WHY do we ask questions? (There’s another one.) Good questions guide us to learn what we don’t know, to clarify an issue, to gain knowledge and to understand. When you question with a willing mind, “wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10)
   We have seen how the disciples were confused about Jesus’ departing words. They asked Jesus many questions. They were unable before Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to grasp the full meaning of the Lord’s words. “In that day” – the day these men see the resurrected Lord, the day the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, the day they, too, in God’s power begin teaching, healing and saving  – will be the day the questions stop. Suddenly, they will know what they must know to be Jesus’ apostles. These fishermen, tax collectors, philosophers, rebels and rabbi school dropouts are about to become the preachers, evangelists, healers and teachers. They won’t have to ask the Father for these gifts. He will give them everything they need. The apostles received in truth the full knowledge of Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended to heaven. The wisdom of Christ “entered their heart”. Their lives changed. Then the world changed.
   Living in the power of Jesus’ resurrection opens us to asking and receiving. As we live obedient to the Lord, our Father in heaven will grant us the things we need. How often do we say, “God knew what I needed before I did.” We acknowledge the Lord’s care and provision for our spiritual and physical lives. The Helper helps us receive our needs.
   In the Spirit’s power we also ask the right questions about Jesus to gain understanding. We pay close attention to the answers. When the truth comes, you absorb what God says. You listen and live the truth in Jesus’ resurrection power to make his name known. With the Spirit’s help, the Son’s knowledge and the Father’s provision, you will have what you need to make an eternal difference in a broken world.  
   Remember from several lessons back, that praying in Jesus’ name comes from a loving relationship with our Lord. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray in the same way Jesus would pray. In Jesus, our risen Savior, you are aligned with God to know and seek his will.
 
Prayer: Teach me, Jesus, to know what to ask of the Father. Spirit, empower me to be still and listen to hear the Father’s voice. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
 

John 16:16-22 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
 
THE disciples are confused and afraid. To this point, Jesus has talked about one betraying him. He has spoken of going away to prepare a new place for them. He promises a Helper will come to teach and guide them. Now he says, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” What does that mean? Again, this is Jesus preparing his friends for the incredible trauma of his death. Enormous emotional pain will flood their hearts. Fear will threaten to dislodge their faith. In the midst of their grief, he assures them joy will replace their grief. After just “a little while”, they “will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”   
   The childbirth illustration is to help the disciples through the pain. We can endure pain, even welcome it if it leads to something new and better. Jesus reminds them of a mother’s pain through childbirth. But what happens when the child is born, and the pain is gone (or greatly diminished)? It is forgotten because of the new life the mother joyfully holds in her arms. The joy of this new life far outweighs the painful birthing process.
   Grief and fear will cut through the disciples’ hearts when Jesus brutally dies. But in “a little while” they will experience the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. When they see him out of the tomb, it will be as if Jesus just came from the womb of the earth. the disciples will know the truth of, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) They will understand “a little while” was just three days. And they will know the joy Jesus promises is eternal. Yes, they will believe and understand John 14:4 “You know the way to the place where I am going.”
    I know this is very hard to understand. But suffering is sometimes a purposeful tool God uses to birth us from our old life into the new. If you reject this truth, consider how the Father caused the Son to suffer, so you could become a new creation in Christ. Remember these disciples became suffering, martyred servants. Know God’s kingdom has advanced for 2,000 years through tremendous opposition. Only when men and women are willing to suffer for the gospel’s sake does the gospel advance.
   If you are dealing with some form of pain and suffering, please remember two things. One, Jesus has come from heaven to purposefully suffer and die. He is fully aware of your suffering.
   Two, seek, pray to know the purpose for your pain. Perhaps it has been to bring you closer to Jesus. Perhaps it is to teach those who care for you. Submit to God’s purpose and trust your Lord. Know truly it is only for “a little while”. Eternity’s joy is forever.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for healing for the those who are suffering and the anxious today. Show them the way to your comfort and joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

John 16:12-15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”
 
AT times people trying to discredit the Bible will ask, “The Bible does not use the word ‘trinity’ to describe God. How, then, can you believe in God as one in three, a Holy Trinity?” Here is one place you can go to answer the question.
   As we know from John, Jesus is very clear many times that he is in complete union with the Father. He affirms this again with, “All that belongs to the Father is mine.” He confirms all the words, the miracles and signs the disciples have seen in Jesus are a revelation of the Holy Lord God Almighty.
   Then he confirms the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will be the same. He will be a new teacher, empowering the disciples to knowledge they cannot grasp now. He will transform their thinking and experiences to help them see the wonder of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. Through the disciples, Jesus’ name will be glorified – he will be praised among the nations. The Good Teacher is preparing his top students for more to come, even as he is going away.
   It is as if a good, knowledgeable teacher who has helped his students learn much is leaving his classroom for an administrative job in the school. He affirms to his students that he is going to help the entire school have more knowledge. Then he assures the students a new teacher will come to help them learn in the same way he did. The new teacher will have the same knowledge he has had. She will say only what is true. The students can trust the new teacher as they have trusted him because she has the same knowledge source he does.
   This, then, is where you can come to point to the Triune God. Jesus is clear about working together with the Father and Spirit to accomplish God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. Father to Son to Spirit, God is three persons in one mysterious relationship. They are not three gods because they are of the same nature. No person of the godhead is different than another. The three persons work in perfect unity in different roles to dispense God’s will on his world.
   Recall again, John’s purpose to write this gospel is to focus on Jesus as the divine God. Here is one more way he does so. This was difficult, even impossible for the disciples to understand that day. But they would see the truth of Jesus’ words as they watched the Spirit empower their ministries, transforming the world.
 
Prayer: Holy God, you are perfect in every way. I praise your name and lift high my mind to receive the truth that comes from the Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.