John 17:6–11 (ESV): I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
 
Jesus was given people. That’s what makes him happy…people. 
 
Jesus isn’t happy with a kingdom without people. He isn’t looking for castles and property. He isn’t drawn by power and position. He prays this high priestly prayer looking directly at his prized possession, people. 
 
Specifically, the people given to him by his Father are in focus. There is certainly speculation as to who Jesus is praying for. Scholars believe it is the twelve Apostles and so do I. 
 
The Father chose 12 to be the instruments of dispersing the good news of Jesus Christ. Imagine that, God chooses 12 individuals to transform an entire world. He paints an unmistakable picture of himself through his Son, through Jesus and releases into 12 men, that image.
 
These were not super-heroes or extraordinary men, these were mere men. They possessed no special qualities that would set them apart from you or I. God didn’t choose these men because they were above the stock of average men. They were perfect, because they were as normal as normal could be. 
 
God transformed them because he chose them. God chose them to be transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. It was all God’s doing.
 
Jesus outlines the process in just a few words. The Father chose them, therefore Jesus chooses them. Those the Father chooses, Jesus chooses. Jesus didn’t pan across the Israelite landscape and find the most qualified, he received what the Father gave and Jesus worked with them. 
 
Jesus didn’t even refuse those who thought they were chosen, he left the decision up to them and the Holy Spirit who was executing the will of the Father. 
 
John 6:66–67 (ESV): After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
 
Do you ever find yourself wondering about the people God has put in your life? Well, they are not there by chance. Jesus doesn’t ever ask the Father, “Are you sure these are the guys?”  He receives in love those that the Father gave him. He doesn’t second guess, Jesus recognizes and honors the choice of the Father.
 
Perhaps one of the reasons that your relationship with others in family or work doesn’t go the way you want it to is because you are still waiting for the “A” team to show up. You are still searching for those that are going to get you where you want to go. 
 
I wonder what would happen if you chose those whom God has given to you. 
 
Now, I am not talking about tolerating those that God has given you, I am saying…choose them over any other possibility. Just like Jesus.
 
John 17:6 (ESV) I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
 
I wonder how your satisfaction, contentment and life fruit would be different if you wholeheartedly chose those that God gave you? They are not holding you back, they are exactly who God wants to be in your life. God will work in their life through you, and he will work in your life through them, unless you deny that working because you do not accept them as from the Lord.
 
Early in the prayer Jesus acknowledges those that the Father gave him, he takes ownership of the investment he is going make into them.
 
Try this, write down on a piece of paper or on your phone the names of those who are in your life that know you personally. Thank The Lord for them and then tell the Lord that you choose them because he has given them to you. Tell the Lord that you receive the life lessons from them as from the Lord. 
 
Jesus went through painful experiences with those whom the Father gave him. Should we think that won’t happen to us? Because we go through painful experiences, should we deny that God has given them to us? I think you know the answer to that. 

Father, thank you for those who you have given to us. Lord, we long to be able to speak the way Jesus spoke, in that we could say that we have given them the truth the way you have given us the truth. Lord, everyone in our lives is a gift from you, even though today we may not see it. Please give us the mind of Christ so that we can see you at work in greater and deeper ways.
 
Blessings,
Pastor D