Contemplative Bible Reading

John 17:15-16 (New Living Translation)

15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.

Jesus is praying to God regarding His followers (“them” and “they” in the verses).

Let’s reverse the order of the two sentences to clarify the messages (at least as I read the message):

Your followers do not belong to this world any more than I do. Nevertheless, leave Your followers in this world, but keep them safe from the evil one.

Jesus asks the Father to leave us, i.e., His followers, here in this world. It is not our place; we don’t fit; we don’t belong. Keep us here anyways.

Why? We are one way, one avenue, for others to see God. There are many ways God manifests Himself to mankind. The lives of His followers are one of those ways.

So, we are “stuck” here for some 70 years. I guess we should make the best of it? Why doesn’t God give us a few perks so the time will not be so loathsome? Oh, those things? Oh, well…yeah, the lives we are given do have a lot of blessings. Oh, well…yeah, this is all pretty enjoyable. So, I am blessed so that I can share those blessings with those around me. Sometimes it takes a while for all this to sink in. God, please help my in my unbelief.