Not So Fast!

Daily Devotional – Friday, June 9, 2023
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15 (NKJV)

Imagine being with Jesus in his last days, after walking with Him for more than three years. You probably want Him to take with you to heaven. Having listened to his prophecies about the coming terrible last days, your safety lies in a flight to heaven. “Not so fast,” He says.

Hold Your Horses!

This is the somewhat disappointing news that confronted the disciples as they listened to Jesus praying in John 17. Christ pleaded with the Father concerning the believers, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (Verse 15).

The statement that followed was even stranger, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (Verse: 16). If believers were not citizens of this world (like Jesus), why not take them with Him to heaven?

No Rush

Well, Jesus had a better plan for them. He wanted to involve human beings in the most important mission on earth: the salvation of fellow human beings. Hence, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (Verse: 18).

The disciples were to continue propagating the principles of God’s kingdom on earth, thus winning souls to God. While they were residents on earth, they were ambassadors of heaven. There was no rush for heaven because it would be more glorious if they helped their fellow human beings to secure a ticket to eternity.

Keep Them in the World

Are you part of that mission? Here is Jesus again, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” (Verse 20). As a believer, Christ wants you to remain on earth to continue with the work of saving souls, which He started.

According to Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers,
“The Christian ideal is not freedom from work, but strength to do it; not freedom from temptation, but power to overcome it; not freedom from suffering, but joy in an abiding sense of the Father’s love; not absence from the world, but grace to make the world better for our presence; not holy lives driven from the world, and living apart from it, but holy lives spent in the world and leavening it.”

Not So Fast!

Do you want to go to heaven now? Not so fast! God has a job for you in the meantime. As long as He allows you to live, preach the gospel. Is there greater joy than to be in heaven with people you led to Jesus? How many people have you led to Jesus so far?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, inculcate in me the desire to win souls for you here on earth even as I look forward to the unfathomable joys of heaven and an eternity with You and my fellow believers.