HE MOST AMAZING THING we could hear from Christ, the Holy One of God,

the only Son, is, “For them I sanctify myself.” We know from the angel who

brought good news that the one born of the Holy Virgin Mary was called “the Holy One

of God.”1 What is even more amazing is that his entire life on earth was revealed to be

holy and without blame. His enemies lurked, closely observing his life to find something

with which they could accuse him, but even them he silenced when he said, “Can any of

you prove me guilty of sin,”2 if only just one?! The life of Christ was closely observed

by enemies, and he knew himself very well. He did not say this to justify himself, for he

is the righteous one who justifies many, rather, the intent and purpose was the life of

those who believe in him. In order for them to be sanctified and without blame he first

sanctified himself, pure from any blame. So there would be no stumbling from his teaching, he presented a living model of holiness and the highest righteousness, so that

they would conduct themselves as he did.

Christ, as a teacher of righteousness, practiced righteousness and holiness to

perfection before he taught them. Here, in an expression of utter humility, he says for

the sake of those who believe in him that he sanctifies himself before the Father, so they

also might be sanctified in the truth. Christ had previously said with all clarity, “I am …

the truth.”3 “Truth” here is a characteristic of a judge, and Christ is the teacher of truth

and the judge of truth. That is, when believers appear before God they are counted holy

by the truth.

In this request, or demonstration of the situation Christ presents to the Father and

puts before the disciples, what so powerfully attracts our attention is that Christ declares

a hidden theological fact. This fact is that he presents his disciples to the Father in order

for them to be on the same level as Christ in truth, holiness and righteousness, and this is

what the disciples received from Christ in his example and teaching. Here we find

before us a public demonstration of Christ’s preaching, teaching and testimony, and all

of it enunciates that Christ is the Holy One of the holy ones. He gave and taught

holiness to his disciples, and he requested it from the Father so they would be on his

level. This theological fact baffles the mind. We ask ourselves, ‘Who is this teacher and

what is this teaching?’ It is more than giving and receiving, though so much was given,

a theology clear as crystal and teaching that raises man into the presence of God.

Holiness was Christ’s curriculum. It was the core of how he guided and what he

passed on. Moreover, it was the source of his happiness and joy that he had disciples

who were on the level of what is holy and righteous.

Come with me and take a deep and piercing look. Do you not see that Christ, before

he rose to heaven, made certain he had on earth christs4 on his same level in teaching,

instruction and in passing it on?

July 28, 2005

3 John 14:6.

4 In the teaching of the church each one baptized and anointed with chrism (holy oil) is given the title of ‘an

anointed one.’

 

1 See Luke 1:35.

2 John 8:46.

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