Our scripture this week is John 17:1-11.
For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:8-9
Jesus continues His prayer for His followers, verifying their acceptance and understanding. He says “I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours” (v.9). At the very end of His earthly ministry, Jesus focused on those closest to Him because they would be the ones to carry on His work.
Jesus prayed for them because they would bring His message to all the earth, through their witness and the spreading faith of generations to come, all the way down to us. He specifically said “I’m not praying for the world” because that wasn’t God’s plan – at least not that way. Jesus calls us to do what He has done in order that the world might be saved.
Make no mistake, Jesus doesn’t need our help but He asks us to be part of His message of love to all people. The world still comes to the Father through Him, but we have been called to bring the world to Him through our sharing of His story. We are His disciples today, charged with the work of His kingdom.
Loving Lord, thank You for trusting us with the message of hope You bring. Make us effective communicators of the Good News to everyone. Amen.