John 17:11, 15
NCV: Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One. KJV: Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
In the last night with His disciples Jesus prayed for His disciples before He was captured by the soldiers. Christ asked God, His Father to take care of His disciples. Christ prayed that God would be with them and keep them safe from Evil One because Jesus would be taken away from them for a few days. The night soldiers captured Jesus; the disciples were confused and ran away from the crowd. Can you imagine what the disciples were going through? They saw Christ crucified and hang on the Cross. They felt horrified and confused why God allowed this to happen. They were very sad and crying. The disciples were hiding and had the doors shut because they were afraid of the Jews. We all know what Peter went through after denying Christ three times and that he was heart-broken.
God heard Christ’s prayer asking the Father to protect the disciples from the Evil One. Jesus knew that Satan wants to destroy the disciples because they had important mission to work for Jesus. God was with them during the time when Christ was taken away from the disciples. Finally Christ appeared to the disciples several times until Jesus was taken to heaven. The disciples went through troubled times, but God kept Christ’s prayers for His disciples. Christ’ prayers are also for us too [John 17:20].
Christ knew our natures are weak, but still He prayed “keep them safe from the Evil One.” This is the greatest encouragement for us to know that Christ prayed for us. May this be a blessing to you and give you the greatest desire to be loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
