John 17:18

Context:John 17 is part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer, where He intercedes for His disciples before His crucifixion. In this chapter, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. Verse 18 specifically refers to the sending of the disciples into the world.

The Sending of Jesus:Jesus begins by acknowledging that He was sent by the Father into the world. His mission on earth was to reveal the Father’s love, proclaim the good news of salvation, and ultimately offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Jesus perfectly fulfilled His mission, accomplishing redemption for all who would believe in Him.

The Sending of the Disciples:Jesus parallels His own sending with the sending of His disciples. Just as the Father sent Him into the world, He also sends His followers into the world. This sending refers to their mission to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and continue the work Jesus started.

The Purpose of Sending:The sending of the disciples serves multiple purposes:

• a. To Continue Jesus’ Mission: By sending His disciples, Jesus extends His work on earth through them. They are to carry on His ministry of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
• b. To Bear Witness: The disciples are sent as witnesses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. They are to testify about Him and His saving work, pointing others to faith in Him.
• c. To Impact the World: The disciples are sent into the world to make a difference. They are to be salt and light, influencing society with the values of the Kingdom of God, and bringing people to faith in Christ.
• d. To Fulfill the Great Commission: The sending of the disciples aligns with Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands.

Application for Believers Today:a. We are also sent: Just as Jesus sent His disciples, all believers today are also sent into the world. We have a mission to fulfill and a purpose to live out. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him and sharing His love with others.

b. Continuation of Jesus’ Work: We have the privilege and responsibility to continue the work that Jesus started. We can serve others, share the Gospel, and make disciples, knowing that we have the same Holy Spirit who empowered the early disciples.

c. Impacting the World: Our lives should have an impact on the world around us. We are called to live in such a way that our actions, words, and character point others to Christ.

d. Faithfulness in the Mission: We should strive to be faithful in fulfilling the mission God has given us. We can rely on His strength, seek His guidance, and trust that He will equip us for every task.