Jesus prays not just for His followers, but for Himself in relation to them. What does it mean for Jesus to 'consecrate Himself'?

In this verse, Jesus uses the word 'consecrate' (Greek: hagiazō) in a profound way. It doesn't mean He was making Himself holy – Jesus was always perfectly holy. Instead, He was setting Himself apart, dedicating Himself entirely to a specific purpose: His sacrificial mission for us.

Think of it like a High Priest under the Old Covenant. Before entering the Most Holy Place, the High Priest had to perform specific rituals to set himself apart for God's service. Jesus, however, consecrates Himself. This points to His voluntary offering – His own life, given willingly. He was dedicating Himself to the ultimate act of love and obedience to the Father, which would be His death on the cross, to achieve our redemption.

Jesus links His consecration to our being 'sanctified through the truth.' What is this 'truth,' and how does it make us holy?

Jesus doesn't leave us to figure out holiness on our own. He explains that His self-consecration is for the purpose of our sanctification through 'the truth.'

This 'truth' isn't just abstract information; it's the very Word of God, the Gospel message, and ultimately, Jesus Himself who is the embodiment of truth. The scholars note that 'in truth' (or 'truly') emphasizes the reality and genuineness of this transformation. Through the atoning work of Christ – His sacrifice – and the power of God's Word illuminated by the Holy Spirit, we are set apart for God. This means we are cleansed from sin's guilt and power, and increasingly made to reflect Christ's character.