11 Father, Keep Them!

Father, Keep Them! The concern of Jesus for the safety and happiness of his people, is both great and astonishing! He had watched over his disciples while he was with them, and being about to leave them — he would make them the special care and charge of his Father. He refers now more especially — though not exclusively — to his disciples who were then present with him, and thus he prays, "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, KEEP through your own name, those whom you have given me — so that they may be one, as we are one!" (John 17:11). We notice — The Circumstances in Which the Disciples Were Placed: "They are still in the world." They are chosen out of it, are raised above it — and yet are left in it, for holy and important purposes. The world to the believer — is a place of trial. Every principle he has, as well as the profession he makes, will be tried here.

Storms will arise, and often suddenly and unexpectedly.

Labors have to be performed, and self-denying labors too.

Persecutions must be endured, and at times these are fiery and long-continued. This world is . . .
a field of labor,
a weary land,
an enemy’s country,
a changeful climate. The world to the Christian is a place of DANGER. He has foes both within and without. From some he must escape by fleeing — and from some by resisting.

"The corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4) is defiling, debasing, and disturbing! It must be overcome; we must cleanse ourselves from it, and escape from its contagion!

Then we have to do battle . . .
with the god of this world — the prince of the power of the air;
with the powers of the world — or ungodly, persecuting men in office and authority;
with the men of the world, or the masses surrounding us;
with the things of the world, especially . . .
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eye,
and the pride of life! In such a world, surrounded by such evil elements and diabolic agents — we must be in danger, and shall be severely tried!! The disciples were now to be in the world without the bodily presence of Jesus. He says, "Now I am departing from the world . . . I am coming to You." His work on earth was just done; his presence would be required here no longer. He was going . . .
home to his Father,
to rest from his labors, and
to wait for his reward. But his people would be left here in this evil world . . .
to serve their generation,
to perfect their characters,
and to honor his dear name.

Hence — The Advocate’s Prayer. Jesus pleads with his Father; he fixes on the holiness of his nature and character, and cries, "Holy Father!" His grace, or his mercy, or his pity — more generally attracts us; because we feel unworthy, or miserable, or weak. But his holiness fixes the eye on his righteous servant, his obedient Son, and our great High Priest!

He prays for their preservation: "Holy Father, KEEP through your own name, those whom you have given me." Keep through your own name; that is — keep them . . .
in the knowledge of yourself and of your truth;
by your power, mercy, and providence;
to show forth your truth, your mercy, and your love. The Lord’s people, therefore, will be kept by God’s power through faith unto salvation.

He prays for their UNION: "So that they may be one — as we are one." That is,
one mystically — all holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with all the increase of God;
one morally — being one in will, judgment, and affection;
one as God is one — enjoying a union among themselves, resembling the union of the divine persons in the Godhead. This union of the Godhead is . . .
spiritual, the persons being so;
close, the persons having but one nature;
constant, nothing being able to affect or disturb it;
holy, holiness being the glory of the nature and persons in the Godhead; orderly, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each having his place, office, and work in the glorious economy of grace. In the Godhead there is also a union of plan, purpose, and love; so Jesus desires that his people should all have . . .
one plan,
one purpose,
and one affection.

Beloved, if Jesus thus prayed for us — then our preservation is certain, and our perseverance is sure. We shall be kept in answer to the prayer of our great High Priest . . .
to his gratification,
for his honor, and
to the Almighty Keeper’s glory!

Whatever storms may arise,
whatever foes may assail us,
whatever trials may come upon us —
our Heavenly Father will keep us, in honor of his Son.

Kept by the eye and hand of Jehovah — we shall persevere, though . . .
the road is rough,
the journey is long, and
our strength is but small.

Let us in every season of danger . . .
when foes and fears beset us,
when our hearts misgive us, and
the cross lies heavy upon us —
then let us hear Jesus praying for us, "Keep through your own name — those whom you have given me!"

Union has been planned — and will be surely completed. Yes, as sure as there is union in the divine nature, and unity in the divine counsels — so sure shall there be perfect union in the Church, and unity among the saints. All cause of disagreement and all ground of difference shall be removed — and we shall be one. Possessing one spiritual and holy nature — we shall one day have one mind, one judgment, and one will. Then there will be . . .
one body,
united to one Head,
influenced by one Spirit,
regulated by one motive,
walking by one rule, and
aiming at one end!

Christ’s people will soon be . . .
one loving family,
one holy flock,
one glorious church!

We should pray to be both kept and united. The prayers of Jesus should regulate ours. What was near and dear to his heart — should be near and dear to ours.

If he pleaded with his Father to KEEP us — we should do so too, and do so constantly and right heartily.

If he prayed that we may be UNITED — so united that we may be one — much more should we. And while we should sanction no sin, nor any just cause of disagreement among brethren — we should carefully avoid whatever would separate brother from brother, or church from church.

Reader! are you OF the world — or are you one of Christ’s members IN the world? Saints in the world are like . . .
pure lilies among stinging thorns,
precious diamonds among dirty pebbles,
harmless sheep among ravenous wolves!

If the world loves us, smiles on us, and speaks well of us — then we are certainly OF it! And if of the world — we shall certainly be damned along with it. But if the world to us is a place of trial, and a place of danger; if we feel that we are not at home in it; if we are longing and preparing to leave it, that we may go home and dwell with Jesus in his Father’s house forever — then all is well with us, and will be well forever! But let us not deceive ourselves on this point! We are either for Christ — or against him! We either gather with Christ — or we scatter from him. Blessed Spirit, show us our true state, reveal to us our real condition; and leave us not without good and solid ground to believe that we are one with Christ — and are therefore the true objects of the prayer and pleading of Christ!