John 17:13-19

¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.¹⁹ For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

“do not take them out…protect them from…”

Before Christ leaves the world, he says he wishes to leave them with the full measure of his joy. What does it mean to receive the full measure of Christ's joy? Once a friend and I were discussing the difference between happiness and joy. We decided that happiness was dependent on outside circumstances, but joy was independent of them. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of Pisidian Antioch after the Jewish leaders were enraged with jealousy because of their preaching. Then surprisingly, it describes that they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. How amazing that although they were persecuted, ridiculed, and chased away, they were filled with joy. That joy is not dependent on the world or on outside circumstances. That joy is dependent on Christ and Christ is always present.

Jesus says to expect persecution from the world, for the world persecuted him first (John 15:20). However, despite the risk, Christ doesn’t wish to hide us away but sends us out into the world to be a light in dark places. He understands that the temptations of the world are strong. There are things that want to take first place in our hearts, like money, relationships, lust and power. However, God has made clear that he wants our undivided heart, he wants to be in first place (Mark 12:30). For he knows that when this is not so, all that he has given to us is corrupted. He is also worthy of being in first place, for it is through his immense love displayed in the sacrifice of his Son that we have been set free from sin. Christ doesn’t send us into the world unprepared but gives us his Word, his Spirit and the full measure of his joy. Made into a new creation in Christ, we no longer belong to the world, and once in Christ, the world pales beside his eternal glory. The world and all its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17). What part of the world is personally threatening your devotion to God? How can you bring the light of God into these places?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your Spirit and the full measure of your joy that is present despite all circumstances. Thank you that in you we are a new creation and not of this world anymore. Lord, through your Spirit give us the strength to resist evil and the courage to walk in the light. Amen.