“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
John 17:13-20

Dear God, the actual verse posted on Bible Gateway today was 17: Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

I wonder what Jesus meant by “your word.” Even The Message translation uses “word.” What does that mean in this context? Our current Christian vernacular would say that it’s the Bible, but only the Old Testament existed back then and they didn’t have it readily available in their homes like we do now. No, I don’t think that’s what Jesus meant by “word.”

I wonder if your word and truth are imparted knowledge through the Holy Spirit. But, boy, that seems like a dangerous system for us to cling to. It’s bad enough that some of us interpret the Bible for ourselves the way we do (like I’m doing right now). But I suppose that, when it comes down to it, you just want to make me holy. You want me to be open to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. I currently have some theological views that are more liberal than the ones I held 20 years ago? Am I wrong now? Was I wrong then? The correct answer to both questions is, “Yes.” Even now, I am sure that I’m wrong about a lot of things.

Father, just help me to be holy and continue to teach me. Keep me from spreading heresy. Live through me. Love through me. Draw people to yourself through my life.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen