Not Of This World

At the last Passover supper, Jesus closed the evening, praying… “Father, the hour is come… I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world… Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory…” (John 17).

The hour for the Cross had come. The hatred of the world had reached its fever-pitch. God’s truth had rubbed their wicked hearts raw, and they hoped the Cross would stop Him. While the wicked foamed at the mouth across town, Jesus loved His disciples, calmly prayed with them, reminded them they are not of this world, and looked ahead to glory.

If the enemies thought Christ feared them and their threats, they were wrong. He had anticipated this day from before the foundation of the world. He longed for it. He would enter death and slay it because He is Life. He would destroy the power of the devil, and the dominion of sin, in the lives of those who receive Him. He would infuse them with the power of righteousness, by His Spirit, to withstand all enemies and reign in life. And after the invitation to receive Eternal Life has gone around the globe, He would gather them in His arms and lead them Home to glory. His eyes were fixed on glory.

The Gospel has gone around the globe and again the hatred of the world has reached a fever-pitch. We know another long-awaited hour has come. Let us honor Christ by: loving one another, being calm and confident in our conduct, remembering we’re not of this world, continuing in prayer, and looking ahead to glory.  

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)