Theological Commentary: Click Here
After the
teachings of Jesus, He prays over His disciples. Naturally, we would expect Jesus to pray for
their protection. We expect Jesus to ask
the Father that none of His disciples would be lost to the world. These are things that make sense in the
prayer.
I am always
caught by hearing Jesus make a point to state that He is not asking them to be
taken out of the world. Jesus knows that
the world isn’t going to accept His disciples.
He knows that there will be persecution.
He knows that the disciples will feel rejection. Knowing all of this, Jesus still asks that
His disciples not be taken out of the world.
This is
because Jesus has His priorities right.
He came to Earth focused on the Lord’s will. He came to restore the relationship that
humanity has with God. He came to
accomplish that through His death. Jesus
values humanity’s relationship with the Father more than He values His own
life. Why should we be surprised to hear
Jesus extend that same sentiment over His disciples?
Jesus knows
the truth. The world will only know the
Father through sacrifice. When His
followers bring God’s truth to the world, they will be persecuted. They will be mocked. They will be misunderstood. It comes with the territory.
However,
Jesus also knows that His disciples will make disciples. The faith will be spread in spite of the
persecution. The faith will be spread
through the sacrifice. Jesus does not
want His disciples to be taken out of the world because He knows how faith is
transmitted. He has His priorities
right. In the face of turmoil, Jesus has
His eyes on the Father.
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