Many times I have preached about a certain aspect in this the most 'worldly' prayer in the Bible. In the version I am using (the best one there is) the word 'world' is mentioned 19 times in it's various meanings, which range from the created world, to mankind, the present time, to the satanic inspired world system. We as disciples are in but not from the world, we are sent into and hated by the world and graciously protected from the evil one. Keep looking there are many more aspects of one's relationship to the world!
But most recently there is another phrase that impressed itself on my mind as I read this chapter. Repeated about 16 times are phrases by Christ like this: 'You have given me...' 11 times, 'I have given them...' 4 times.
Besides the many other themes that are mentioned in this passage one could call this the Great Gift Chapter as the Father has given Christ his Authority, his Work, his Word(s), all things, his Glory and foremost it is the Father who makes the most striking gift, the men (and I am convinced that there are also women among them) who are given to Christ, mentioned five times in this chapter. Christ in turn has given the disciples Eternal Life, the Word, his Glory.
We do consider ourselves followers, disciples, servants and workers in the great venture of the Kingdom and rightfully so, but foremost we are a gift, that God chose and presented to His Son, a precious treasure, a 'peculiar people', His own 'special treasure', 'a people for His own possession' as Ex.19:5 and 1Pet.2:9 put it. That's what we are--a precious gift from God to Christ in spite of all our 'peculiarities,' a gift that He will guard and protect and perfect, whatever the cost. He has proven on Calvary that no cost is too high to do just that.
Grace and Peace to you all, Johannes
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