John 17:24-25

John 17:24-25. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

You notice the division that there is here. There are two parties; there is the world, and there is the Church; what is it that divides them? Read these two clauses: "The world hath not known thee:" "These have known that thou hast sent me." What stands between? "But I have known thee." It is Christ himself, coming in between the two parties, like the cloudy-fiery pillar, black with darkness to the Egyptians, but bright with light to the Israelites. Oh, to have Christ between you and the world! It is the best form of separation: "I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me."