There are four times in chapter 17 that Jesus referred to the Father giving certain disciples to him.
"I have manifested your name to the men whom you have given me" (John 17:6). "I pray for them, I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours, and all mine are yours, and yours are mine" (John 17:9). "Those whom you gave whom you gave me, I have kept and none of them is lost except the son of perdition that the scriptures might be fulfilled" (John 17:12). "Father, I desire that they also whom you gave to me may be with me, where I am..." (John 17:24).
Now in chapter 18 we see it once more. "Jesus said, 'I told you I am. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their way'. That the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke, 'Of those you have given me I have lost none' (John 18:8).
We desire God because he first desired us (John 13:18; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4; John 3:27). Our ministry, our influence, our eternal existence is in our Father's hands.
