Christ's Burden

The high-priestly prayer of Christ was distinctively for the
disciples. Indeed, He SAYS: "I pray not for the world." That is to
say, the disciples need a peculiar and special work of grace, one
which must follow, not precede, conversion, and therefore not to
be received by the world. In this prayer the loving Master
revealed to His immediate disciples, and to those of all ages and
climes, the burning desire of His heart concerning His followers.
The petition ascends from His immaculate heart like incense from a
golden censer, and it has for its tone and soul, "Sanctify them
through thy truth." His soul longed for this work to be completed
quickly. During the last days of His ministry He talked frequently
of the coming Comforter. He admonished them to "tarry" until an
enduement came to them. He knew that unless they were energized
with a power, to which they were as yet strangers, their work
would be worse than futile.