“Holy Father protect them by the power of your name. The name you gave me so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.” Isaiah 22:21-24
“I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”
The good shepherd of the sheep not only provides for those under his care, but keeps the wolves, bears, and other predators from attacking and killing them. He knows where to lead them to safety. In John 10 Jesus compares Himself to the door of the sheep pen. Through Him His people came and found salvation, but others could not be allowed in. The shepherd literally lays down to block the entrance as the door to the sheep pen.
A child in his father’s arms knows their father will protection them. A father also shows His care by the prayers He prays. There is nothing that drives a person to pray more than having children. The Bible tells us that Jesus is constantly interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25).
During the special prayer between Jesus and His heavenly Father, our Lord said in John 17:12 NLT, "During my time here, I protected [my disciples] by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold."
We see this played out in the place of the arrest of Jesus. He wanted to protect them physically, so He took control of His own arrest. John 18:8,9 records Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Jesus made sure that His disciples were not involved with the abuse that followed. All of this meant that He had to bear His impending death, His mockery of a trial, and His agonizing trip to the cross alone. Why did He do it this way? Because of His love for His own and His desire to protect them. That is how He cared for them and in the same way cares for you and me.
Does this mean nothing in our lives will ever harm us? We know better. We need to look at the eternal aspect of protection. In Acts chapter 7 Stephen was dying. Being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked up to Heaven and saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand. Christ was there with Stephen to protect and to receive the soul of His servant Stephen as he was martyred.
Ponder This Today: Your comfort comes from His promises to never leave or forsake us as Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Prayer: Rejoice, O my soul, for I have the protection and presence of an Everlasting Father.
