Scripture: John 15:19
If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.
Thought for the Day: Even though John’s Gospel speaks of ‘the world’ in neutral terms on a number of occasions, there are other places where the world is symbolic of that which is not of God. Here, and again in the 17th chapter, we hear about belonging to the world or being chosen by Jesus to come out of the world. Though many have interpreted this in terms of an escapist theology where the only true freedom is found after death, I don’t believe that’s what John’s Gospel was suggesting. Jesus was in the world, but not of the world. In the same way, the Christian life is lived as those who are fully engaged in the world without being defined or ruled by the worldly things that are not of God. At the end, Jesus sent his followers to engage the world with the purpose of loving and tending the sheep. Of course, it doesn’t mean they will be liked. In fact, Jesus suggested that they would be hated for such things. If we are, at least we’re in good company.
Prayer: God, continue to give me Jesus as the model for loving a world that may not always love me or the ways of Jesus in return. Amen.
