Jesus prayed not only for the disciples to be kept from evil, but that the work they were sent out to do would be made good and complete. He required of them no more than his Father had of him. The Father sanctified him (Jesus) when he sent him into the world, (see John 10:36), and now, they were being sent as he was, therefore, let them also be sanctified. Here, many who are called may find the office to be a challenge, wherein, the statement has two ways to understand it: (1) as being separated for holiness, and, (2) as set apart for service to preach the gospel. The concern of Jesus was to sanctify them, that is, qualify them for the office of which they are being sent out to do with grace and the gifts it will take for the New Testament journey.
Sanctify means "to set apart" that is, to separate the disciples to the office to which they had been called and consented to. Romans 1:1 reads: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, was set apart to do the ministry of the gospel of truth. Your word is truth is a powerful statement of Jesus' confidence in the veracity (conformity to facts; accuracy) of the Scripture. There are those whose opinions will vary and many with experiences that are notoriously untrustworthy, but God's Word will always and forever remain true all by itself. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matt. 24:35). Amen
sablack/jhb
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