21 Days of Consecration - Day 17, John 17 - For Their Sakes

Sometimes when you come to a familiar passage it's good to look at it from another perspective so that you don't just pass over precious truths. This morning I decided to listen to John 17 over at BibleGateway.com, one of my favorite Bible sites on the 'net. (Near the top is a button to listen to it being read to you.) To hear the words of Jesus and let them soak over me through my ear-gate was refreshing. Try it sometime!

As I was listening something really jumped out at me from near the end of the chapter:

"For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:19-21 NASB)

Obviously I was deeply touched by the fact that in Jesus' prayer for His disciples He included you and me ... "for those also who believe in Me through their word". That's a powerful truth that we need to remember. Jesus is praying for me!

The the thing that really jumped out to me was the phrase "For their sakes I sanctify Myself...". Instantly I thought of where we are in our 21 Days of Consecration, that here in week 3 on the 17th day we are consecrating ourselves for the sake of others, to set them free from the prisons that have held them captive. It's like an encouraging word from Jesus to us to say, "I did it for you. You can do it for others."

PLEASE don't misunderstand. We can't save ANYONE! Our lives are not poured out in sacrifice for others. Jesus is the ONLY atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. But the issue of sanctification, or consecration, or setting yourself aside for the Father's purpose, has precedence in what Jesus did for us. It makes us available to Him, ready to be used.

So keep on! God WILL set the captives free. And He will use US to help achieve that, as we pray, love and share under His leadership. By consecrating ourselves to Him, we are in better position than ever to be used by Him. I'm ready! How about you?!

Blessings!
Nathan