Sermon : 24 May 2009 David Cowley ( Reader )
« In the world, but not of the world » John 17 : 11,14
John’s gospel Chp 17 records Jesus’ famous and longest prayer which he prayed just before he was betrayed, arrested, and killed by crucifixion. Jn 18 : 1.
Parts of the prayer resemble a commissioning or graduation speech for in his farewell talk Jesus hands over his mission on earth to his disciples. Jesus would be leaving this world. The few fledgling disciples would be left to cope in an environment of unbelief and resistance - a world of people that in its thoughts and concerns was hostile to the truth of God. The mind set was one of rebellion to and hatred of God’s authority, wanting to decide on values and to act autonomously. Such a world would hate anyone who represented an obstacle to such thinking, Jn 17 : 14 .
So Jesus prays for his disciples specifically ( Jn 17 : 9 – 19, our gospel reading this morning ) and later ( Jn 17 : 20 – 26 ) for all subsequent believing Christians, the church that would form of those who, at a later time including our own, would believe the testimony of the first disciples ( see Jn 17 : 20 ).
FOR WHOM JESUS PRAYS Jn 17 : 9 Discrimination : not the world in general !
For his fearful ,and often unaware , disciples, of course ; but their essential characteristics are described Jn 17:vv 6,7,8
people given by God to Jesus, selected “out of the world” ,
and who have accepted and obeyed God’s word given by and in Jesus ;
they are convinced that Jesus comes from God, and was sent by God the Father. ( It is not enough to simply know about Jesus, without trust and commitment )
In the first epistle of John (also read this morning) Chp 5: 9-12 similar ideas are well defined : You believe in Jesus as Son of God by the testimony/witness of God about him, and you have spiritual life and know assurance of eternal life.
Jesus addresses his prayer to God as HOLY FATHER – the “holy” title is the very opposite of what the “world” stands for.
WHAT JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS TRUE DISCIPLES
Jn 17 : verse 11 and verse 15
(1) For protection from the wiles and tricks of the Evil One in a human society influenced by evil. The Evil One tries to thwart and spoil and destroy God’s good plans.
So God’s people must come under pressures and oppositions, and at times persecutions and hatreds.
As Paul expressed it in Ephesians 6 : (10-)12 : “our struggle is not against flesh and blood (human nature and individual persons) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
There is more at stake than what happens in my own limited life, but my response should be to stand firm to the Faith on the issues that confront me daily.
(2) For an experience of unity among all believers, akin to that known in the very perfection of the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Jn 17 : 20-23
A harmony within diversity of mutual love, common purpose, and great joy Jn 17:13
WHY JESUS PRAYS
The purpose of this important prayer for unity and protection ?
That the disciples may share in the wonderful unity of God who is LOVE
That the outside watching world will see demonstrated before their eyes the truth of all that Jesus is . Unity must be evident to the world, that the world may recognize its source.
Jesus is very practical in his prayer for the disciples, absolutely realistic as to the situations and tests they would experience.
He does not pray that they would be removed and isolated from the normal human contacts of life in the world, of society and culture Jn 17 : 15 , but rather that they be kept in loyal faith and witness by distinctive lifestyle and purity of actions ( sanctified - Jn 17 : 17 )
HOW TO BE “IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD”
There are two extremes to be avoided here, which have been followed by some who call themselves Christians.
1. Isolation and retreat ? : To avoid and withdraw socially from “the world” to remain uncontaminated by its ungodly ideas, ways of life, and temptations e.g. Strict Plymouth Brethren, some monastic orders
Problems : formation of cliques dominated by some individuals ; danger of cultural norms and taboos in the group being mistaken for gospel truths ; no significant warm human contacts in everyday life mean poor or remote communication of the gospel, which needs to be seen in loving caring action not by shouting at a safe distance from reality. Jesus’ own ministry was to the “publicans and sinners” who he seemed to spend much time with, judging by the criticisms of the self-righteous puritanical Pharisees.
2. Accommodation and assimulation ? : To incorporate current worldly ideas and philosophies of life into their Christianity with dilution, distortion or even denial of earlier orthodox beliefs and moral values. The words used may be traditional but the meanings have been subverted, highjacked to fit in with the prevailing climate.
Sadly much of liberal Protestantism has gone this path ; many leaders in the American Episcopal Church ( TEC ) have so obviously succumbed to this approach.
There is a distinction to be made between trying to translate the old faith into modern thought forms and culture ( to better and meaningfully communicate the gospel ) and emptying the essentials of that gospel, a “re-modelling” so that it does not upset modern society.
The first Psalm, read today ( Ps 1 ) reminds us of the dangers of being in the world and being influenced for evil by it
Ps 1 : 1 Blessed is the man/woman who does not walk in the counsel (principles) of the wicked, or stand ( make no common cause) in the way of sinners (those whose lives miss God’s mark deliberately), or sit( shun fellowship) in the seat of the scornful mockers ( avowed enemies of God )
and this same psalm points to the solution to “not being of the world” in attitudes and values
Psalm 1 : 2 rooted in a secret life of delight and reflection on the words and wisdom from God ……..day and night ie continuously, not just on Sunday morning !
A distinctive public life coming from a resolute cast of mind ( New Bible Commentary , Motyer )
A final point of encouragement : JESUS CONTINUES TO PRAY FOR US
Jn 17 : 20 I pray also for those who will believe ( because of the faithful testimony of the first disciples and their commitment to Jesus as Son of God, sent by the Father )
In all our struggles to keep the Faith we have a unity with the first believers, and those who have followed after them in succeeding centuries.
But I wonder how at one or comfortable St Peter and St Paul would feel in some 21st century churches who profess to follow Christ ? Unity of faith with what has gone before is as important as present day ecumenism and links to a wider world! There must be a coherence between what was proclaimed as the gospel, and what we believe and teach now.
The writer to the Hebrews reminds us of an important truth for our encouragement
Hebrews 7 : 24,25 ……because Jesus lives forever He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God by Him, because He always lives to intercede/pray for them
THE OUTCOME : John 17 : 13 I say these things ( says Jesus ) that they may have the full measure of MY JOY within them
Not just any old good feeling of self-satisfaction, but a taste of the very joy that is in the heart of Jesus for God his Father and the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The fact that Jesus prayed such prayers for us tells us of the importance of having His protection in this difficult and confusing world; but it re-assures us that there is no situation in our lives that is a NO GO area to God where evil can run riot and succeed.
The fact that Jesus prayed tells us that prayer to God is not a meaningless or futile occupation, however difficult it may be to see “direct results” of prayer.
We can claim the promise of his protection to keep us faithful, and to know the true joy of unity with Him and with all the saints who believe, past and present, here and everywhere.
