I Sanctify Myself

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 2; Hebrews 9

I Sanctify Myself

Text: John 17:19

It is very interesting, beautiful, and God-honoring, how much that salvation revolves around Jesus Christ. He is our One and Only Saviour, and all that Salvation is; all that Salvation accomplishes; all that Salvation promises; is because of Jesus Christ. There isn’t anyone else who is sanctified – both set apart, and entirely Holy – who is capable or eligible to be the Saviour of unholy, wicked, and utterly defiled men and women. Though salvation is destined and ordained of God – and therefore inevitable and certain; Jesus Christ remains the only Man Who can save.  Everything about Him, and therefore everything about Salvation is miraculous and marvelous – and singularly the domain of Jesus Christ.

Set Apart by God

He was sanctified and set apart before He ever came into the world of men! Jesus Christ was sent into the world with a Purpose and a Work. He was uniquely and ideally suited for that Work – to save the souls of men. His Purpose was the same as the Father’s and the Holy Spirit’s. None other has ever been perfectly united in Purpose; only God. Though the world of men may devise other salvations. And though the wicked may deny or decry the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ in salvation. The purposes of God cannot be thwarted. And the unity of the Father and the Son in the Salvation of the souls of men cannot and must not be resisted. Jn. 3:34-36; 10:36; Ps. 2:1-7

He Set Himself Apart

As He lived His life in this mortal realm, every day, every hour, every moment demonstrated that He was and is Sanctified – both Set Apart, and Holy. He did this as a matter of fact and reality, over the course of the years that He spent on this earth. Indeed, even time means nothing to God from His perspective. And yet, He deigned to confine Himself to a Body that was subject to time and its effects, as necessary to accomplish Salvation for the ones who are given unto Him to save. The Word and the Truth revealed the Father unto us. We are only saved because we know; and we only know because He came unto us.  His Purpose and Aim of Salvation was never misguided, turned aside, or set aside. There were no coincidences in His Life – all was accomplished in order to fulfill the Will of God and the Salvation of those who were given unto Him in the Covenant of Grace. Jn. 1:14-18; 14:6-7; 4:34; Isa. 61:1-3

As the High Priest He Offered Himself as the Sacrifice

Only His Sacrifice would suffice. Only His Blood would do. Jesus Christ set Himself apart and He is acknowledged as the Only Sacrifice for sins. He offered Himself! Just as the Passover lambs of the Old Testament were set apart, examined, and then offered as the sacrifice – only if they were pure and perfect; even so, Jesus Christ set Himself apart; He was examined by all; He was declared perfect by God the Father; and He was ultimately sacrificed – and His Blood was shed – for our sins. Heb. 7:24-28; 9:12, 14, 25, 28

Jesus Christ is the Means for the Sanctification of His People in Truth

Salvation for sinners cannot be accomplished apart from the cleansing from sins. The Justice of God must be answered! The Holiness of God must be satisfied! Jesus Christ is the way and the means for this – every man who is saved must know this! With Jesus Christ in our hearts, we are able to both desire and perform sanctified (holy) words and deeds. Jesus Christ sanctified Himself so that we could love and serve Him. Heb. 13:12, 1Cor. 6:11; 1Thess. 5:23-24; 1Pet. 3:15-18