In John 17:6-17, we find Jesus praying for His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. This passage, known as the High Priestly Prayer, provides profound insights into God's call for believers to be light and salt in the world, modeling kingdom living in our daily lives. As we explore this text and related Scriptures, we will uncover this divine mandate's theological implications and practical applications.
The Nature of God's Call
Jesus begins His prayer by acknowledging that He has manifested the Father's name to those given to Him out of the world[1]. This manifestation is a verbal proclamation and a living demonstration of God's character. As followers of Christ, we are similarly called to manifest God's name through our lives.
Chosen Out of the World
The phrase "out of the world" (John 17:6) carries significant theological weight. It implies a divine selection and separation, a privilege that we, as believers, are honored to have. The Apostle Peter echoes this concept in 1 Peter 2:9, describing believers as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession." This election is not for our own glory but "that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Bearers of God's Word
Jesus emphasizes that He has given the disciples the words of the Father (John 17:8). As bearers of God's word, we are entrusted with the message of the Gospel. This responsibility is further elaborated in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20: "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are, therefore, Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
The Tension of Kingdom Living
A central theme in John 17:6-17 is the tension between being in the world but not of it. This paradox is at the heart of what it means to be light and salt.
Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that His disciples are not of the world (John 17:14, 16). This otherworldliness is not a call to physical separation but a spiritual and ethical distinction. Paul expands on this concept in Romans 12:2, urging believers: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
Despite not being of the world, Jesus does not pray for the disciples to be taken out of the world (John 17:15). Instead, He later states in John 17:18, "As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." This sending is reminiscent of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:13-16, where He calls His followers to be salt and light.
Being Salt and Light
The metaphors of salt and light, found in Matthew 5:13-16, provide a vivid illustration of how believers are to model kingdom living in their daily lives.
Salt of the Earth
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet" (Matthew 5:13).
Salt in the ancient world served multiple purposes:
1. Preservation: Salt was crucial for preserving food in a world without refrigeration. Similarly, believers are called to be a preserving influence in society, counteracting moral and spiritual decay.
2. Flavor enhancement: Salt brings out the best in food. Christians are to bring out the best in their communities, enhancing the quality of life for those around them.
3. Thirst creation: Salt creates thirst. Our lives should create a thirst for God in others, pointing them to the living water that Christ offers (John 4:14).
Light of the World
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
Light serves several functions:
1. Illumination: Light dispels darkness, revealing truth and exposing falsehood. As bearers of God's truth, we are to illuminate the path to God for others.
2. Guidance: Light provides direction. Our lives should serve as beacons, guiding others toward Christ.
3. Growth facilitation: Light is essential for life and growth. By reflecting Christ's light, we create an environment where spiritual growth can flourish.
Practical Applications of Kingdom Living
Sanctification through Truth
Jesus prays, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17). This sanctification process is central to our ability to be effective salt and light. It involves:
1. Immersion in Scripture: Regular study and meditation on God's Word is essential for transformation (Psalm 119:11).
2. Obedience to God's commands: James 1:22 encourages us to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only."
3. Renewal of the mind: Our actions will follow as we align our thinking with God's truth (Philippians 4:8).
Living with Integrity
Our lives must be marked by integrity to be effective, salt and light. This means:
1. Consistency between belief and behavior: Our actions should align with our professed faith (James 2:14-26).
2. Transparency: We should be willing to live openly, allowing others to see the reality of our faith (2 Corinthians 4:2).
3. Accountability: Submitting ourselves to the accountability of the Church community helps maintain integrity (Galatians 6:1-2).
Engaging Culture with Wisdom
As those sent into the world, we must engage culture wisely:
1. Discernment: We need to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
2. Contextualization: Like Paul in Athens (Acts 17:22-31), we should seek to communicate the Gospel in ways that resonate with our cultural context without compromising its truth.
3. Prophetic voice: At times, we may need to speak truth to power, challenging societal norms that contradict God's will (Amos 5:24).
Demonstrating Kingdom Values
Our daily lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom:
1. Love: Jesus identifies love as the hallmark of His disciples (John 13:35).
2. Justice: We are called to "do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
3. Mercy: As recipients of God's mercy, we are to extend mercy to others (Luke 6:36).
4. Forgiveness: Our willingness to forgive reflects the forgiveness we have received in Christ (Colossians 3:13).
5. Generosity: We are to be "rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share" (1 Timothy 6:18).
Challenges to Kingdom Living
Jesus warns that the world will hate His followers because they are not of the world (John 17:14). This hatred may manifest as persecution, which Jesus addresses in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
The pressure to conform to worldly standards can be intense. Jesus prays for protection from the evil one (John 17:15), recognizing the spiritual battle we face. Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6:10-18 to put on the full armor of God provides practical guidance for resisting compromise.
The task of being salt and light can seem overwhelming, leading to discouragement. However, Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age," offers encouragement. The author of Hebrews also urges believers to refrain from growing weary in doing good (Hebrews 12:1-3).
The Power for Kingdom Living
Ultimately, our ability to be salt and light comes from our strength and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
This power manifests in several ways:
1. Transformation: The Holy Spirit conforms us to Christ's image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
2. Empowerment for witness: The Spirit emboldens us to share the Gospel (Acts 4:31).
3. Fruit-bearing: The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) becomes evident in our lives, making us effective salt and light.
4. Guidance: The Spirit leads us in truth and wisdom (John 16:13).
Conclusion
The call to be salt and light, modeling kingdom living in our daily lives, is both a profound privilege and a weighty responsibility. Rooted in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer and echoed throughout Scripture, this calling requires us to live in the tension of being in the world but not of it. As we immerse ourselves in God's truth, live with integrity, engage culture wisely, and demonstrate kingdom values, we become living testimonies to the Gospel's transformative power.
We need to undertake this task with God's strength. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and sustained by Christ's presence, we can navigate the challenges of persecution, temptation, and discouragement. Our effectiveness as salt and light ultimately depends not on our own efforts but on our willingness to yield to God's sanctifying work in our lives.
As we embrace this calling, may we echo the words of the Psalmist: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!" (Psalm 115:1). In doing so, we fulfill our purpose as God's chosen people, proclaiming His excellencies and drawing others into His marvelous light.
No comments:
Post a Comment