Why did they need protection?
There is a prayer in which Jesus asked God to do something for His disciples. Protect them. Jesus did a good job keeping all those that were given to Him except for the one that was destined for destruction. They believed in Him and He took them to be His own.
In doing this, Jesus made a radical adjustment to their identity. Where previously they were common to the world around them. Now belonging to Jesus meant they no longer belonged to the world. Like Jesus, although they were sent to the world, they were now no longer of the world. Like Jesus, although they loved the world, they were to be hated by the world. A pivotal factor behind that is the ruler of the world. Just as one had deceived people, so one had come to deliver the people. From one to one.
Now there was a situation against the one who ruled the world. The one that ruled their former way of life was now their adversary. Just as this evil one had sought to derail the Messiah, so he would be keen to distract and deceive those that followed the Messiah. Making progress with Christ would require protection from the evil one.
There is something about protection that is something requiring divine input. This would not be able to done through the effort of the self. The Shepherd would need to protect the sheep. Without the protection, stealing, killing and destroying would be the portion, but being a good Shepherd the protection would be on hand. Protection from deception, protection from delusion, protection from despair, protection from the plans of the evil one.
With the word of truth setting apart the disciples, they could focus on their mission in the knowledge that they were protected. All because someone prayed for them knowing full well they needed protection.
That was then, it is no less required now.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 