In fact, he prays for just that in his great prayer in John 17:17-19:
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
But what does he have in mind?
He links the sanctifying - the setting apart - of his disciples to his own act of being set apart: "for them I sanctify myself, that they may be truly sanctified". So, he made himself holy so that we too could be holy? Is that what this is saying? Wasn’t he already and always holy, anyhow?
The emphasis here works in a slightly different direction. Jesus is speaking about setting himself apart for doing God’s will, not making himself pure (that was never in doubt). He committed himself to this calling so that he might rescue people from sin, from the clutches of death and decay, and reconcile them to God, safely brought into his family. That's why he sanctified himself.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
But what does he have in mind?
He links the sanctifying - the setting apart - of his disciples to his own act of being set apart: "for them I sanctify myself, that they may be truly sanctified". So, he made himself holy so that we too could be holy? Is that what this is saying? Wasn’t he already and always holy, anyhow?
The emphasis here works in a slightly different direction. Jesus is speaking about setting himself apart for doing God’s will, not making himself pure (that was never in doubt). He committed himself to this calling so that he might rescue people from sin, from the clutches of death and decay, and reconcile them to God, safely brought into his family. That's why he sanctified himself.
And he expressly states that, just as he had been sent into the world by the Father on that mission, and had responded by setting himself apart for it, so too is he sending his disciples into the world. That's why he is praying for them, that they - and the church in its collective experience - might also be sanctified, belonging to God and serving him and his plans of love. That they might be enabled and equipped to fulfil their calling to go into all the world with the good news. Set apart and sent out; that’s the church of Jesus Christ.
Notice, then, the crucial role played by the Bible in this: "sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." As we read, listen to and meditate on scripture, the Spirit who breathed it out works it into us, aiming to make us more like Jesus. Yet not simply in terms of what we usually think of as holiness - clean hands and a pure heart, gentle words and gracious behaviour. Yes to all that, please God. But, crucially, becoming Christ-like in our commitment to, and sacrificial outworking of, the great mission of God. Set apart to be like the Saviour of the world, who came in humility, who lived the deepest compassion and offered himself in committed love.
If Jesus prayed for that, it would be good to add our Amen to it.
Notice, then, the crucial role played by the Bible in this: "sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." As we read, listen to and meditate on scripture, the Spirit who breathed it out works it into us, aiming to make us more like Jesus. Yet not simply in terms of what we usually think of as holiness - clean hands and a pure heart, gentle words and gracious behaviour. Yes to all that, please God. But, crucially, becoming Christ-like in our commitment to, and sacrificial outworking of, the great mission of God. Set apart to be like the Saviour of the world, who came in humility, who lived the deepest compassion and offered himself in committed love.
If Jesus prayed for that, it would be good to add our Amen to it.
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Lord, her watch Thy church is keeping;
When shall earth Thy rule obey?
When shall end the night of weeping?
When shall break the promised day?
See the whitening harvest languish,
Waiting still the labourers' toil;
Was it vain, Thy Son's deep anguish?
Shall the strong retain the spoil?
Tidings, sent to every creature,
Millions yet have never heard;
Can they hear without a preacher?
Lord Almighty, give the word:
Give the word; in every nation
Let the gospel trumpet sound,
Witnessing a world's salvation
To the earth's remotest bound.
Then the end; Thy church completed,
All Thy chosen gathered in,
With their King in glory seated,
Satan bound, and banished sin;
Gone for ever parting, weeping,
Hunger, sorrow, death, and pain:
Lo! her watch Thy church is keeping;
Come, Lord Jesus, come to reign!
(Henry Downton, 1818-85)
