Day 15

Messengers of christ

13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

John 17:13-16

     In this passage of scripture, we are in the last part of the Gospel of John, where Jesus has just finished giving His disciples His final words of encouragement before He goes to the cross. He talks to them about the coming of the Holy Spirit and what He will do for them. Then, Jesus prays on behalf of his followers the most magnificent prayer for His disciples. He offers His ultimate prayer for us – that we would be so unified with God the Father (experiencing that joy and love for ourselves) that we could not help but be focused on the mission and calling Jesus left us to do.

     He has equipped us with the tools we need to walk in a holy relationship with Him. You see, Jesus wants only His absolute best for you as you daily commit yourselves to the special calling He has placed on your life. He longs for you to have pure joy – His joy! The joy that causes you to be filled to the point of overflowing, to experience a relationship with Jesus every day, to have faith and trust in God, to know God’s goodness in your life, and to have a joy which is uninterrupted by sin. This is the kind of joy that Jesus has freely given to us upon acceptance of Him as our Savior. What an incredible gift! 

     Jesus also gives the gift of His Word. He is the Ultimate Messenger. He commissions us to be messengers in the schools as teachers, students, administrators, and volunteers. As believers, we are not called to live in secret. There is zero evidence that Jesus wanted His followers to be isolated from the world. In fact, Jesus makes a request that His Father not remove us from the world but protect us from the evil that is in the world.

     As we follow God’s calling, we often find ourselves in a scary world filled with fears and anxieties. But we can always trust that Jesus has already interceded on our behalf to His Father for protection and believe this to be true. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, us” for you are a messenger; you have a purpose, and you are in this world, not in secret, and not alone. You are a special member of our schools and the people in our schools are important to the Lord Jesus. He died so that everyone may experience freedom and eternal life. May we live each day with pure joy so that we can be effective messengers of the gospel to those within our schools. 

Application:  Take time to pray for our schools and all those involved in the daily activities that make education happen. Pray that our people will do as Jesus commands in Matt. 5:16 and let their light shine for others to see the glory of God! If you are one who finds yourself within the community of our schools, consider yourself commissioned as a messenger for the gospel.

 Written By: Ray Petty