John 17:15
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
If you knew trouble was coming, what would you do, run towards it, or away from it. At first this would seem to be an easy answer. Run away as fast as you can! Avoiding trouble is a very good response. The first approach to self defense is actually avoiding trouble in the first place!
However, what if I add something to the scenario. If you knew that trouble was coming, and a loved one was in harms way, what would you do? Again the answer is easy. You wouldn’t run away from trouble, you would run towards the trouble. Like the firemen, policemen, and EMTs that ran into the world trade center on 9/11, you would do everything to help those you love.
Jesus didn’t come into the world simply to pick a fight with the evil one. That would have been no contest! However, as terrorists use civilians as human shields today, Satan entered into the world and used humanity as a human shield against God’s judgement. He wasn’t only in the world, but also through temptation and unbelief entered every human heart.
The danger was real, so Jesus didn’t run away. Our heavenly Father loves the world, so He sent Jesus to face the danger of Sin, Death, and Devil. Jesus did this in the real world of flesh and blood when He died on the cross for the sins of the world. Through faith in Jesus and His act of sacrifice, sins are forgiven and the power of Satan is destroyed. Through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we are given eternal life.
WIth this in mind, you may have a good idea of why we are still in this world today. Judgement day is being held at bay for a time. Why? So that the Gospel may be preached to all nations. At the right time, according to the perfect wisdom of God the Father, judgement day will come. The dead will be raised, Jesus will judge the nations, and the final separation between good and evil will occur. Until that time, we have work to do!
God, as He sent Jesus to create forgiveness, now sends His church to share the gift of salvation with all people. The world is a dangerous place, but our Lord Jesus who courageously faced sin, death and devil for us, has gives us the same heart of each other. He has given us a courageous spirit that cares for the eternal welfare of our neighbor.
How do we share this Gospel with all nations? We do this as we are united with one another in the body of Christ, His Church! There our talents work together to bring a complete witness in word and deed to our community and to all nations. We face challenges, but we are not alone. For our Lord who is risen from the dead, still leads HIs church, defends us from the evil one, and guides us to eternal life.
LET US PRAY
I thank you Heavenly Father for loving the world and sending Jesus. As my Lord Jesus faced the threats and intimidation of the evil one, grant me faith to trust in Him and follow His example in my life. I ask for your blessing upon my church, that her witness will be courageous and call all people to repent, believe in Jesus Christ and have eternal life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.