Skip to main content

From Him...

              I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (John 17:9-12)

 

            From His celebration with and of the Father, Jesus turns his attention to His disciples. He was coming to the end when He could return to the Father, but His disciples would remain in the world because they had His work to carry on. That would place them in conflict with the world. As He contemplates His victory, He also lovingly thinks ahead to the needs of those reunited with God through Him. He prays for the Father to protect them as He had been protecting them.

This morning that brings to mind the question of how He protected them – and how He protects us. As far as Scripture makes clear, the only weapon Jesus ever wielded as a weapon was words. The temptation in the desert and the struggle in the olive garden were intense. Still, there was no swashbuckling, no parkour maneuvers, no angelic cavalry charging to the rescue – only Calvary. Instead, we find teaching, correction, rebukes, encouragement, challenges, and occasional miracles, most of which were done to/for other people. It might be said that a good chunk of Jesus’ protection of His disciples (and us) involved protecting them (us) from themselves (ourselves.)

It's possible that the attacks from which He protected them from attacks by the devil or his followers and that Jesus did battle “in the heavenly places” against the Evil One(s) with the spiritual equivalent of armor and weapons. Maybe the spiritual swashbuckling happened, but what we’re told is that, rather than attacking the enemy directly, He built up the strength and defenses of His disciples. To draw on a song that was popular for a time, He didn’t calm the storm so often as He called His child, and He didn’t calm His child as often as He tried to excite His child to faith.

And then He says something that should encourage us. “None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction that Scripture may be fulfilled.” As a quick note, there doesn’t seem to be any rancor toward Judas here. It seems more to be pity. If there had been a way to save Judas from himself and therefore, from Satan, that would have been Jesus’ preference, but it could not be.

More importantly, however, we have the assurance that none of those entrusted to Him had been lost except Judas. No matter how miserable a failure we may think ourselves (or others) none of those the Father gave Jesus have been lost except Judas. That’s something we would do well to remind ourselves when we find we’re under attack or attacking ourselves.

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more