DISCOURSE: 1710
THE OBJECTS OF OUR LORD’S INTERCESSION
John 17:9-10. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
THE Apostles were but weak in knowledge or in grace till the day of Pentecost; nevertheless, they were greatly beloved by their Lord and Master. He declared in their hearing that they were true believers [Note: ver. 6–8.]. He testified also that they were the peculiar objects for whom he prayed.
I. For whom our Lord interceded—
The Disciples of Christ are characterized as persons “given” him by the Father—
[This is a just description of every child of God: none would ever give themselves to Christ, if they were not previously given to him by the Father; or come to Christ, if they were not drawn to him by the Father [Note: John 6:44.]. As every grace we possess must be traced to the operations of the Spirit, as its immediate cause [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:7; Galatians 5:22.], so must it be traced to the electing love of God, as its primary and original source [Note: Ephesians 1:4-5.]. And it is of great importance, both for our humiliation and for God’s glory, that this matter should be clearly known and understood [Note: This description of God’s people is repeated five times in seven verses. See ver.6–12. Was there no design in this? and is there nothing to be gathered from it?].]
It was for these more especially that Jesus interceded—
[We apprehend that the apparent exclusion of the world from his intercessions is not to be understood strictly and positively, but only in a comparative sense [Note: In this respect it resembles Hosea 6:6 : for our Lord did pray for the ungodly world, Luke 23:34 and had their good in view even in this very prayer, ver. 21.]: but certainly the saints were the objects whom, both in this and all other intercessions, he had principally in view. The high-priest, in bearing the names of the twelve tribes upon his breast-plate whenever he went within the vail, was a type of Christ in this particular [Note: Exodus 28:9-12; Exodus 28:29-30.]. Christ would not be a high-priest, if he omitted this part of his office; since intercession was no less necessary to that office than oblation: but he does intercede for his people, and lives in heaven, as it were, for that very purpose [Note: Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 7:25.]. Yes; He that formed the universe, and upholds it by his power, and whose petitions are commands, says, “I pray for them.” And the petitions he then offered for his living disciples had respect to all his believing people, even to the end of the world [Note: ver. 20.]
This distinguishing favour, however, was not conferred without reason—
II.
Why he interceded for them in particular—
The reasons of the Divine procedure are in many cases inscrutable; but our Lord condescended to state some on this occasion—
1. Believers are the Father’s property, “They are thine”—
[All things belong to God as his creatures; but believers are his in a far higher sense. He has made them his by adoption: he has confirmed his interest in them by regeneration: he esteems them as his peculiar treasure [Note: Psalms 135:4.], in comparison of whom the whole universe is as nothing in his eyes. Hence our Lord interested himself more particularly on their behalf. His zeal for his Father’s glory would not suffer him to be for one moment unmindful of their interests.]
2. Christ himself has an equal propriety in them, “All mine,” &c.
[They belong to Christ by the Father’s donation, by his own purchase, and by the closest possible union [Note: They are one body with him, Ephesians 5:30 and one Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:17.] — — — Will he then be regardless of this precious gift, and lose the purchase of his blood, and suffer his own members to perish, for want of his continual intercession? Surely his interest in them is a very sufficient reason for his unwearied solicitude respecting them.]
3. Christ is glorified in them—
[The ungodly world bring no glory to Christ; but it is the labour and delight of his people to glorify him. He is glorified now in their faith, love, worship, and obedience: he will be glorified and admired in them at his second coming [Note: 2 Thessalonians 1:10.]: he will be glorified by them to all eternity. While therefore he has any concern for his own glory, he cannot but be studious of their welfare.]
Infer—
1.
How honourable a character is the true Christian!
[The Christian is eminently distinguished from all the rest of the world. He is highly esteemed both by the Father and by Christ, who equally claim him as their property, “He is mine;” “he is mine.” He is interested in all which Christ has done or is now doing. How infinitely does this honour exceed that which cometh of man! Let every one be ambitious to attain it: nor let any earthly attainments whatever satisfy our desires.]
2. How secure and blessed is his state!
[There may be some who shall never be benefited by the Saviour’s intercession; but Christ’s people are continually remembered by him before the throne. They therefore are sure to have every want supplied; nor can any defeat the purposes of their blessed Lord. Let therefore every Christian rejoice and glory in the Lord: let the thought of Christ’s intercession dissipate all fears of condemnation [Note: Romans 8:34.]: let Christ be viewed as an Advocate under every fresh-contracted guilt [Note: 1 John 2:1.]: let every one seek to glorify him, and to be glorified with him.]