12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
When Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist prophesized regarding the upcoming birth of the baby Jesus, he used the term “horn of salvation” to signify both our Lord’s coming power and authority. This would have been an unusual term indeed to describe a baby. Seldom do we see powerful and authoritative adjectives accompanying an infant. The term actually referred to the pointed projection that an animal used to attack and defend – the Old Testament using this term to indicate achieving power as well as supreme authority. Luke records Zachariah’s prophecy:
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us"-- Luke 1:67-71 (NIV)
Indeed, Jesus came as the “Powerful One” – “the Horn of Salvation” - with power to save, with power to deliver, with power to protect, with power to keep, with power to forgive, with power to defend from the evil one and with the powerful exhaustive riches of divine grace.
"Grace is the grand and only resource for us all. It is the basis of our salvation; the basis of a life of practical godliness; and the basis of those imperishable hopes which animate us amid the trials and conflicts of this sin-stricken world. May we cherish a deeper sense of grace, and more ardent desire for glory!" C H MacIntosh, 1860, Notes on Leviticus
“There are such difficulties in the way of our salvation as could never be overcome but by that grace of God which is almighty. ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ His grace can work on the soul, so as to alter the bent and bias of it, and give it a contrary leaning.” Matthew Henry
When our Lord walked on this earth He was faithful to his discharge. In our verse for today, He states of His faithfulness to this duty. His protection and care of the disciples given to Him was not in vain. While He walked with them He protected them in a visible manner now that He would be leaving, they must be protected in a more spiritual manner so that they would not be left helpless and comfortless. This is true for all believers who walk this earth as well – Christ keeps them through His Name.
“Your Name, is a strong and mighty tower; Your Name, is a shelter like no other; Your Name, let the nations sing it louder; ‘Cause nothing has the power to save – but Your Name.” Paul Baloche and Glenn Packiam
Remember He tells us He does not leave us as orphans – we will not be left comfortless:
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 (NIV)
Jesus is acutely aware of our weaknesses, our need of comfort and love. He knows we do not possess the power to protect ourselves from the evil one. Amazingly, believers in the Lord Jesus are valuable and worth protecting in God’s eyes (Hallelujah!). We are His treasures, His jewels and we are in His keeping for salvation – shielded by His great power. Peter tells us:
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)is jewels.His
Believers are preserved, kept safe through the grace and power and attributes of the Lord Jesus just as He protected His original disciples when He physically walked this earth – not losing one. It is the Father’s will that He lose none.
Lastly, our Lord describes Judas as one He was never undertaken to keep. Judas was given to Jesus but he did not belong to Him. He was neither a slur on our Lord or His family for prophecy stated he was doomed to destruction. What a dreadful thought that one of the apostles desired destruction over the divine. This is certainly a red-flag warning for us as well in that no man’s place or name on a church roster will preserve him form doom if his heart remains estranged from God the Father through Jesus the Son. Judas’ sin had been both foreseen and foretold – Scripture was fulfilled.
“Tomorrow’s history has already been written – at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow.” Paul Kauffman