New Testament Challenge, Day 19 - John 17-21
In the tradition of the high priest of the Jews, Jesus offers the High Priestly Prayer in anticipation of His death on the Cross. This gives us a glimpse into the connection of Christ’s Passion and the worship of God. It has become popular to understand that death of Christ as fulfilling some mandate of God that blood must be shed in order to convince Him to forgive sins, but that reality is this prayer by our Lord before His death offers us a different perspective.
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” (John 17.17-19) There is no reference to “and forgive them their sins by this offering” or any other indication that His intent is the forgiveness of sins but rather our sanctification and union with God.
Jesus continues, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; [that’s us today] that they all may be one, as You, Father are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us.” (John 17.20-21) In these words Jesus is letting us know the divine purpose of His sacrifice on the Cross; not the forgiveness of sins but union with God.
That sounds like pretty good news to me!
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