Quiet Time Coaching Episode 235
Jesus prepared his followers by praying for them. They remained weak, but not under-prepared. How convinced are you that you are fully prepared for God’s work?
“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. 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. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
(John 17:13–19 NIV11)
In each place in the Fourth Gospel where the activity of the evil one (or the devil or Satan) is mentioned up to this point it was directed against Jesus to bring about his death (Jn 6:70; 8:44; 13:2, 27). Once Jesus was removed from the scene, this activity would be directed against his disciples.
They are to be protected rather than removed because they have work to do; because God loves the world.
Question for the week: “What helps to convince you that you are fully prepared for the work God has in mind for you?”
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
