I was particularly
struck by the words of Jesus in John 17:14-17 as He prays for His disciples. In
verse 14 (and again in verse 16) He likens His disciples to Himself saying that
they are not of the world any more than He is of the world. They are sanctified
(verse 17) – i.e. set apart as holy. Given that we too are disciples of Jesus
then we share with Him this same un-worldliness. And yet it is clear from verse
15 (“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect
them from the evil one”) and verse 18 (“As you sent me into the world, I have
sent them into the world”) that our place (for now, at least) is in the world -
even if we are not of it. Verse 18 in particular suggests that our purpose as
unworldly people in a worldly world is the same as that of Jesus. Like Jesus
our place is with those who are of this world – who need to know about Him and
His love and His amazing grace. This is quite a responsibility – but it is a
great comfort to know that we have Jesus Himself praying for us.
(member of the
congregation)