I Have Kept Them

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  

John 17:12 

Christ took care of His disciples. He says as much in our text. God gave them to Him. He was to develop them into the seminal group for the expansion of the gospel over the whole of the ancient world. They would eventually become those who would turn the world upside down with their preaching of Christ. They were not ready to be the great lions of God yet. Within the next twenty-four hours they would endure unprecedented trials of faith. Christ had kept them all the time He had been their leader thus far. He knew they would witness His arrest trial, and crucifixion. He was fully aware this would shatter them. Therefore, following His statement in our text He appeals to His Father saying, ‘I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.’  He is careful to secure them even when He is absent from them. Christ is keen to preserve not only them but also us. Later in His prayer He prays, ‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.’ In this regard He not only appeals to His Father to keep them, but to keep us also. This is most encouraging for us who need to be kept.  

Our Gracious and Loving God, 
we rejoice that You secure us. 
We praise You, that because You do, 
no one can take us from You. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning