564 SANCTIFY, SANCTIFICATION
SANCTIFY, SANCTIFICATION
another direct claim on the part of Jesus to be our Sanctifica- tion (cf. I4S 153- -i. 10). It leads us naturallj- to the very im- portant text 171719. Jesus pra.yed for His disciples, ' Sanctify them in the truth : th.y word is truth. . . . For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.' ' Sanctify ' seems to be used here with its full meaning. The idea of consecration is not absent (cf. v.i** and RVm) ; but vv.n-16 prove that the ethical significance is prominent. This sanctification is secured 'in truth.' The truth is identified with ' thy word,' which has been given to the disciples by Jesus (v.i-*), partly b.y His words (141"), and partly b.v His char- acter and example (li^ 14''). The thought seems to be that the disciples are to be sanctified by abiding in this revelation, and by being led farther and farther into it. 'The "truth" . . . is (as it were) the element into which the believer is introduced and by which he is changed. The "truth ' is not only a power within him by which he is moved ; it is an atmosphere in which he lives. The end of the truth is not wisdom, which is partial, but holiness, which is universal' (Westcott, in loco.). This teaching finds more complete expression throughout chs. 14-l(i. The disciples must abide in Christ, who is the true Vine, if they would bear much fruit (151 8). When the Master is gone. He will send another Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who will guide ' into all truth ' (14i«- 17- 26 1526 ici^MS). They are in the truth already ; but they will be guided into its deejjer recesses by the Spirit of truth. Thus they will be sanctified, knowing the Father more perfectly as He is revealed in the Son (ICi-i), and bearing much fruit through this knowledge (155). All their consecration of themselves to the work to which their Slaster sent them must move within the sacred sphere of ' the truth.'
(e) One sentence in this prayer is very valuable for our pur- pose, ' For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselx'es also may be sanctified ' (Jn 1719). Jesus Christ's sanctification of Himself is primarily His devotion of Himself to the Father's will. His sanctification was unique in that there hever was anj' refusal of that will as it was made known to Him. But such a refusal was always possible whilst His earthly life lasted. In that sense Jesus had to be progressively sanctified. He had not fulfilled the entire will of His Father until He could say upon the cross, ' It is finished ' (1930). Therefore He had to con- tinue sanctifying Himself until then. The immediate reference of the words in the prayer seems to be to His death. The pra.\er is the renewal of His surrender. Again He takes up His cross. He is willing to die, in obedience to the Father's will, that the disciples may be sanctified. Two points must be noticed. (1) This complete surrender to the Father's will, ' obedience even unto the death of the cross,' makes Jesus the absolutelv per- fect example for our sanctification (Ph 2'>-^). (2) But also there is a distinct reference to His death as helping to secure the sanctification of His disciples. This hint is not solitary. It gathers other words to itself. 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself (Jn Vi»-). This drawing is part of the process of sanctification. ' Except a grain ol wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone ; but if it die, it beareth much fruit' (12--'). By dying Jesus will become a fruitful Personalitv in the world, producing ' much fruit' in His disciples. 'This is mv blood of the cove- nant, which is shed for many'(Mk 142-1). The New Covenant is written on men's hearts. It is concerned with a spiritual sanctification as distinguished from one that is merelv cere- monial. Jesus connects His death with this New Covenant as a means of securing sanctification 'for many.' 'The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep' (Jn lOH). This sacrifice by the Shepherd ensures that the lost sheep are found, and being 'found' is one of Jesus Christ's words for at least the beginnings of sanctification (Lk 15-5. 9. 32). These sayings make it certain that Jesus thought of His death as pla.ving an im- portant part in the process whereby sin's prisoners are delivered, and are set forth upon the road to holiness.
At the same time the reference of Jn 171^' cannot be confined to His death, if only because His sanctification of Himself in His death was but the perfect flower of a life that was one long sanctifioation. His death cannot be isolated from His life. He came into the world to save sinners ; and His entire earthly experience ministered to that salvation. At each critical stage He sanctified Himself : the act of the critical moments reflected His daily temper. It is this continued sanctification, culminat- mg in His death, that is the means of the sanctification of His disciples. See, further, on the sanctification of Christ, art.