Those who are not of the world
“6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 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[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth.”
Today's message focuses on Jesus' intercessory prayer recorded in John 17. Jesus prayed that His disciples would enter into the world and remain in it, yet not be of it. This is the identity of the disciples. The Lord desired that they reflect Christ's image, revealing God's will in the world through their lives.
Additionally, Jesus prayed that the world would recognize His disciples by their love for one another. Their love and unity would serve as a testimony to the world that they are truly His followers. Through experiencing Christ's love, they would become one. This love and unity are not mere community bonds, but a spiritual union born from a deep relationship with God.
Jesus also prayed that His disciples would experience the fullness of joy in Him. This joy is unlike any joy the world can offer—it is the mystery of the deep fellowship of the Trinity dwelling among us. This joy would empower them to overcome the challenges and trials they would face and enable them to fulfill their mission on earth.
As we reflect on this passage today, may we understand God's heart within Jesus' prayer and commit ourselves to reveal God's truth and love in the world as His disciples. We desire to grow in truth, to know the Lord more deeply, and to experience the fullness of His love and joy in our lives. We also hope to build a community overflowing with Christ's love and joy, becoming a church that reflects God's glory in the world.
Prayer: Lord, just as You prayed for Your disciples, we ask that You continue to work among us today. Shape us into Your image and holiness, revealing Your presence through our lives. Send Your Spirit to fill our inner selves with the joy and love that You experienced, uniting us together in that joy and love. May our unity and love for one another shine brightly before the world. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.