“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:16–17)
Expanded Passage: John 17:1-21
Can you name a few slogans from a famous company or local business? Just as these advertisements make us think of a certain place, three things create a slogan for the instruction we gather from Jesus’ prayer in John 17: Completion, Confidence, and Covering.
Completion: We are called to finish the work God has called us to do! Jesus starts his prayer in John 17:1, saying “the hour has come.” The time is here, and time is now to be about our Father’s business.
Confidence: There is a confidence that comes from knowing who our God is. In John 17:6–8, Jesus is confident that his followers know who God is because they’ve seen the example of who Jesus is. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), and as we draw near to him, he promises to draw even closer to us (James 4:8).
Covering: There’s a significant need to be covered through the authority that comes from God to Jesus and is now ours. Specifically in verses 17 through 21, there is a reminder that followers of Jesus are sanctified and made holy by the truth, protected through Jesus’ name, and given the fullness of joy.
We can recite these three words like a jingle to remind us how to follow Christ’s instructions.
Share Christ’s message with his covering and confidence to complete his work.
Sarah Grace was discipled in The Wesleyan Church in the Western New York region. She enjoys camping, music, and being outdoors in all seasons.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
