09 Prayer for the Church
Prayer for the Church When the Lord Jesus had finished his prayer for himself, he at once began to plead for his people — first for his immediate disciples, and then for all who would believe on him to the end of time. For them he lived,
for them he suffered,
for them he died, and
for them he prayed! The world lying in the wicked one seemed to lie off in the distance; his people, like a company of beloved children, appeared as if gathered around him, and, as if he had pointed to them with his finger, he said, "I pray for them; I pray not for the world — but for those whom you have given me; for they are yours" (John 17:9). Let us notice — The Character in Which Jesus Prayed. Not merely as a man, but . . .
as the Mediator, under a peculiar law, one command of which was, that he should lay down his life for his sheep;
as the Fathers Servant, sent into the world on an especial errand, and to perform a particular work;
as the High Priest of God’s Israel . . .
bearing their names on his heart,
making an atonement for their sins,
and interceding for their persons;
as the Surety of the better covenant, who had become responsible for his brethren, and had engaged to bring them back safely to their Father;
as the Bridegroom, who had espoused his people to himself, to be his, to live with him, and enjoy his presence and property forever. As the Mediator, he speaks for those for whose salvation he assumed the office. As the Servant of the Father, he prays for those for whom he was sanctified and sent into the world. As the High Priest, he intercedes for all spiritual Israel, offering his incense with the prayers of all saints. As the Surety of the covenant, he prays for all he had undertaken to present guiltless before the presence of his Father’s glory. And as the Bridegroom, his heart was set upon, and his voice was employed for, his beloved bride. The Persons for Whom He Prays: "I pray for them." Those who were given to him by his Father, in whom the Father still retained a right. Why? Because the Father had made them his charge. They were still the Father’s, as the espoused bride is still the father’s daughter.
"I pray not for the world." He did not pray against the world, nor accuse it to his Father; but he did not pray for it. His prayer now was for the elect — not for the non-elect, the scornful, persecuting world, which was lying in the arms of the wicked one. He knew his Father’s purposes. He acquiesced in his Father’s will. He had no promise of success if he had prayed for the rest. If he had prayed for the world, and prayed for it as he did for his people — then either the whole world must be saved, or else the Father must refuse his prayer. But him the Father always hears. His prayer is never refused. As therefore the whole world is not saved, as the Father never refuses the prayer of his Son — then we must believe that he means just what he says, "I pray not for the world." Observe — The Blessings Which Flow from His Prayer:
1. Pardon and justification. Paul challenges the universe to bring a charge against God’s elect, and triumphantly asks, "Who is he who condemns, since Christ died for them, is risen again, and is even at the right hand of God, making intercession for them?" If Christ . . .
died for us,
arose for us,
has gone to Heaven for us, and
ever lives to intercede for us —
then we shall be pardoned and justified — to us there is no condemnation.
2. The acceptance of our persons and services. Hence are we said to be "a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Our persons are pleasing to God as he views us in the Beloved; and our services are valued by him as perfumed with the sweet savors of our Redeemer’s merits and intercession.
3. Boldness at God’s throne. Our great High Priest, who made the atonement for us below, has now passed through the Heavens, and is in the holiest of all. There he carries on the intercession he commenced on earth; and in consequence of this, we are exhorted to come boldly to the throne of grace, to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith.
4. Preservation from evil here — and Heaven at last. Jesus prayed especially that we may be kept — kept from the evil of the world, and that we might be with him where he is, to behold his glory.
Yes, all for whom he prayed shall . . .
be justified at the bar of God,
be accepted in the presence of God,
have boldness at the throne of God,
and arrive safely at the home of God!
Therefore, universal redemption is not true! The representation of Christ is special — he represents his people alone;
the substitution of Christ is special — he is the substitute of his bride alone;
the satisfaction Christ made was special — it was for damages done by his sheep alone;
the intercession of Christ is special — it is for his saints alone, and not for the world;
the love of Christ is special — for "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her — to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." The world and the Church have always been distinct.
In the very first family — there was Cain as well as Abel;
in Abraham’s family — there was Ishmael as well as Isaac;
in Isaac’s family — there was Esau as well as Jacob — the former representing the world, the latter the Church. At the flood there was the Church in the ark, represented by Noah and his family — and the world was drowning. There have always been the elect remnant — and the rest of humanity. The world has not Christ on its side; therefore its condition is fearful. His own words are, "My goodness extends not to the world — but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips." He will not mention them to his Father, nor name them in his prayers. The honor and happiness of the saints are unspeakably great. This led one of the apostles to exclaim, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us — and not unto the world?" For them the Savior prays,
to them the Savior comes, and
with them the Savior identifies himself.
We should pray especially for the saints. Yes, we should prefer them at all times, and in all things; as Paul teaches us: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men — especially unto those who are of the household of faith."
Believers and Christ are one. In praying for them — we pray for him; in doing good to them — we do good to him. Therefore he will affirm at last, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren — you have done it unto me." In all our labors let Paul be our example. Speaking of his troubles, persecutions, and imprisonment, he says, "Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." They were elected — but not yet saved. They were to obtain salvation through the gospel. The apostle, therefore, is commanded to preach the gospel to all — in order that the elect may obtain the salvation which Christ had procured for them.
Right views of the doctrine of election, therefore, will not . . .
cramp our energies,
limit our efforts,
or produce indolence;
but will rather stimulate us . . .
to labor more abundantly,
to suffer more patiently, and
to persevere more hopefully.
Oh, for grace . . .
to submit to God’s will without objecting;
to receive God’s Word without reasoning;
and to do God’s work, without complaining!
Oh, to be like Jesus, and to feel as he did, when he said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight."
Heavenly Father, give us grace, that we may never stumble at your truth, or imagine ourselves wiser than your Word; but may we ever . . .
acquiesce in your will,
drink into the spirit of your Son,
believe the promises of your grace,
and observe all your holy precepts.
Holy Spirit, as you led and guided our beloved Savior — so lead and guide us; that we may be . . .
separate from the world,
superior to the world, and
ever testify against the world, that the works thereof are evil.
Oh, to be more like Christ in all things, especially in our devotions!