Rock the Boat

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. _{John 17:18}

When Jesus prays this beautiful priestly prayer to the Father, he refers to his followers as the people whom you gave me out of the world, so first and foremost, we belong to him. This prayer gives us a glimpse of our Lord’s heart and of the deep concern that he has for each one of us. Jesus knew what a hard and difficult place the world could be. He had been hated and he knew that this contempt for truth would be passed on to his disciples.

“For their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I am praying for them. I am glorified in them… Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

With all the understanding of what we would face in this world, Jesus gives himself wholly over to the Father that we might be divinely blessed in truth and purified by the word. In this pure state, Jesus releases us back into the battle to spread his life-changing gospel. He doesn’t want us to hide away behind closed doors, he wants us out, telling the truth of who he is. He doesn’t want us to follow the crowd, he wants us leading it. Forget the idea of trying to quietly fit in and not make waves. Jesus wants us to rock the boat! He has sent us back into the world to change it, not conform to it.

“They are in the world. Father, keep them in your name.”

We glorify the Lord Jesus by standing strong and firm in the truth of God’s word. We are in the world, but more importantly, we are in the Father and we are kept secure in the power of his name.