[AI translation] These few verses are the second part of what we usually call Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, a wonderful, moving prayer. In any case, if we were to divide this prayer of Jesus, we could distinguish three parts. In the first part, which we discussed last time, the Lord prays more for himself. In the second part, which we will take up today, he prays for his disciples. And in the third, which will follow next time: for the church. So let's stick to the second part for now. Let us see: who are those for whom the Lord is praying? Why does he pray only for them? What does he ask for them?1) So who are they? Jesus says: "Those whom you gave me out of the world are yours, and you have given them to me." In these words Jesus speaks of his disciples - that is, of us who are here - as those whom God gave to Jesus. Here he lifts the veil on a mystery that is rarely spoken of among us, because it goes back so far into eternity. For there was a sacred, eternal agreement between the Father and the Son, which preceded the becoming of a disciple of Jesus. So the question of our salvation was decided by an eternal divine decision! In this thought it is comforting and joyful that every believing soul who is with Jesus can say to himself, "The Father has given me as a gift to Jesus! So my relationship with Jesus, my faith in Him, does not come about by chance, because someone once spoke very convincingly about Him to me, and I was influenced by that and was determined to follow Him, but my belonging to Jesus goes back further and deeper than that. Into eternity, into God's predestinating will.
This realisation is something of a great affirmation of faith. The fact that the Father has given me to Jesus, that God the Creator has not given me to the passing of time, not to Satan, not to a world that is passing away, not to a life of futility, but that He has given me to Jesus, as if lifting me out of futility, out of a world tormented by Satan, out of transience. In other words, he has given us eternal life, redeemed life under Jesus! The Father, who by right of creation fully possesses me, has given me as a gift to Jesus, who claims me by right of redemption. Know then, if you did not know it before, that you are one of those whom God has given to Jesus.
I can imagine that someone might now say to you. Well, who would have thought, for example, that Zacchaeus, this tyrannical traitor, had been given to Jesus by God? What sign of this was there in his despicable life, despised by all? And yet, behold, he was Jesus'. Before he knew it, or before anyone else suspected it! Only Jesus knew, and he came to seek what was his. We can't see from each other whose forehead bears this invisible mark: Jesus'! But I dare say that Jesus is still, here, now, seeking those who are his. Those the Father has given him! Anyone who has even a tiny longing for Jesus, for the purity, love, peace, goodness that He has brought, is a sure sign that the Father has given him to Jesus. Therefore I dare say that the Father gave you to Jesus a long time ago! Let it be known. Give yourself to Him! Give yourself, all your efforts, all your service, because you do not belong to yourself, you do not belong to Satan, you are not the bride of death, but to Jesus! Or perhaps you doubt whether Jesus can be pleased with a gift such as you are? I dare say He is! He said that there is joy in all heaven when someone finally realizes that they belong to Jesus, prostrates themselves before Him and gives Him their heart! This is what Jesus truly rejoices in, for this is the reward for all His suffering, His bitter agony, His damnable death on the cross! In order that no one may doubt that the Father has given him to Jesus, Jesus says: "Whoever comes to me, I will by no means cast out." That is how open the way to Jesus is. He does not ask who you are, where you come from, from what depths. He does not say that if you behave well, if you do not disbelieve, if you endow yourself with some good qualities, some beautiful virtues, then perhaps he will not cast you out. It's, "I will not cast you out!" In fact, if you are so objectionable, he will accept you! Jesus begged for just such as you! Believe me, it's for you too! Because the Father's giving us to Jesus is not only a privilege, but a way for us to walk. It is a goal that we have to reach. A sure promise of victory, but it is ours to claim! In photographic jargon I might say: exposed film with the image already invisibly on it. We have to develop and process it so that it becomes as clearly visible as possible.
2) But why only for his? "I pray not for the world, but for those whom you have given me." Isn't that strange, coming from Jesus? Is the world not important to him? Didn't He say, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son"? (John 3:16) Now He says He is not praying for the world. So few are His in this world, and so many who do not know Him. Is the fate of those very, very many indifferent to Him? Oh, no! In fact, it turns out that it is for the sake of the world, for the sake of the many, that He pleads for the few. For Jesus regards the few believers in this world - let alone the 11 who remain - as the farmer regards the handful of seeds he has left after the frost and hail have destroyed the crop. Jesus knows that from this handful the whole field will one day be watered. From this handful He expects that His seed will one day sprout and there will be another bountiful harvest. In those few, Jesus saw the seed supply for the great field that is the world. That is why He focuses here primarily on His disciples. What would this world be without these handfuls of seed? It would remain bare and barren, growing only weeds. So it is not out of indifference to the world, but precisely for the sake of the world, that He pleads primarily for His own. They are the living seed who must multiply in their fruit. They are the acid of the earth and the light of the world! They! Or: we! That is how much Jesus counts on those who believe in Him! It is their task to bring into the world, into the human world, the preserving powers of goodness, purity, peace, love, forgiveness, which protect this world from moral corruption. It is their task to season this earthly world with the good taste of the divine world, to make it pleasant by their presence, like salt on food. It is their task to live among men in such a way that the light of Jesus living in them shines through their words and actions!
So, we are not disciples of Jesus to cultivate our own peace of mind and secure eternal salvation after death - but for the sake of the world, for the sake of people, for the sake of the earth, for its good and its happiness. The believer is that strange type of man who, like salt, wastes himself, gives himself away for the good and benefit of his environment. The one who lives for the sake of others, who is always looking to see who can benefit by being Jesus'! Or like the candle flame that also burns itself out to light. He does not choose to shine on this one because it deserves it, because it is sympathetic, but not on that one because it is useless - but on all alike. And it does not choose the place where it wants to shine, but shines where it is wanted. In a bright, elegant environment or in a small, poor room. For many people, or for just one. In a sickbed, or in public. Always, everywhere, serving everyone! So Jesus prayed that those who believe in Him would not live their lives as believers in isolation from the world, but in the world, actively involved in the world of people in which they live. The believer is the strange type who lives entirely in this world, but not of this world. Yet in his work, his behaviour, his joy, his sorrow, his happiness or his sadness, he smells something of the good smell of eternity.
Do you feel what a tremendous responsibility we have, especially for the world?! How much depends on us? Do we know that we are either a blessing to the people around us or a hindrance! Because a believer, if he is not a blessing, is a useless obstacle to other people! Unseasoned salt is good for nothing but to be thrown away and trampled underfoot. Thus someone once said, "A rotting lily smells worse than a worthless weed." Self-centred religiosity, building only its own spiritual house, has the worst smell in the world! That is why Jesus does not ask the Father to take believers out of the world, because this world needs them eternally. It is in the vital interest of this world that the Church should remain in it. Not in its appearance, of course, but in its essence. With its being salt and light. Jesus does not want to take his own out of the world, but to send them into it! Into everything! He almost splashes them around, so that they can go everywhere. And if they will not go of their own free will, he makes the circumstances such that they are forced to go where they are needed. "If only I were not so alone where I am," a believer used to say. Realize that where you are, one believing soul is enough! But one is needed there. That is why you are there! The Lord sent you there. That's where you are! Well, that's why Jesus prayed "not for the world" but for his own. For you too!
3) Finally, we learn from Jesus' prayer what He asks for us. So he says, "Holy Father, keep them in your name...keep them from evil." He is not asking God to keep us from all harm, sickness and suffering, but to keep us in faith. Jesus knows very well from his own experience how difficult this life on earth is. How not easy it is here to persevere in faith, in faithful service. And besides, Jesus knows our individual difficulties and problems, whether in the family or at work. He knows
He knows this world well! And He also knows whose weaknesses, whose vulnerabilities. That is why He pleads for us to be saved. I've come to realize that if conversion is a miracle, then retention, remaining in the faith for a lifetime - no less a miracle. In fact, it is perhaps an even greater miracle. But it is not so self-evident that someone who has started on the path of faith will remain on it. We have seen it happen that someone starts out very promisingly and ends very scandalously. Judas started out as a disciple and ended up committing suicide. A brother named Demas was a dear colleague of the apostle Paul, and yet he could not resist some vain temptation. He was swept away by the world. Ananias and Zaphira were members of the early church in Jerusalem, and yet they were blinded by the love of money! If such a tragic setback was possible then, how much more so now! I can honestly say that the older I get, the more I feel the need for myself and for all my brothers and sisters in the faith to pray for us, "Holy Father, keep them in your name." For it is well known that it is the believer who is most vulnerable to all kinds of temptations and attacks from Satan. And just as there is rejoicing in heaven over the conversion of a sinner, what joy can there be in hell over the fall of a believer! A hell of rejoicing! Satan will do his best to have as much of this joy as possible. So, if anyone feels the pull of the Satanic world, remember that Jesus prayed for his salvation too. There is always a satanic force at work in this world, raising all sorts of obstacles, difficulties and stumbling blocks to faith. But remember: there is another power at work, the power of the prayer of Jesus! Without this heavenly saving power, there would not be a single Christian believer on this earth.
Behold, Jesus prayed for those whom the Father had given Him. For us! With such a prayerful backing, we may be more faithful in this world to realize the blessed life for which the Father gave us to Jesus. For it is indeed as the ancient song says:
"Our strength alone is worth nothing,
we would soon fall.
But the heroic leader fights for us,
whom God has ordained for us.
Who is it, you ask?
It is Jesus Christ,
the holy Son of God,
Lord of heaven and earth,
He is our triumph."
Amen
Date: 20 April 1969.