Tuesday 18 May 2010
- Bible Book:
- John
"And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." (v.11)
Background
In his own mind Jesus has already moved on - beyond his trials,beyond his struggle up the Via Dolorosa (the path that Jesus wasordered to drag his cross along) and beyond his crucifixion on thehill named Golgotha.
So he prays for his disciples, entrusting them into God's care.Jesus is going away out of the world of jealousy, hatred andviolence, yet he is very sensitive to the fact that his discipleswill remain very much 'in this world' - without his presence andguidance and under pressure from the very same people who haveabused him. They will be in need of a lot of protection.
The use of the word 'world' may be a little confusing to modernears. In John's Gospel 'world' doesn't refer to the physicaluniverse in which all humankind lives. Instead, it refers to allthat has rebelled against God and organised itself to livealienated from God's will. Jesus' coming into that world hasinaugurated a new reality conforming to God's will and purposes.The disciples are part of this new order. So Jesus prays that theymay be spared from being pulled back into the world of wickedness.And to withstand the wiles of this 'world' they will need to sticktogether.
To Ponder
To what extent do you feel that Christians, inour times, live in or between two worlds?
Some people say that they do not need to attendchurch but can be Christians in their own homes. To what extent doyou feel the need for a community to support you in your life offaith?