Love and hate have been at war ever since the first family chose self over God. The constant day to day battles were alive and well in the days of the Bible just as much as today. In John 17, Jesus’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find God’s answer to redeem the Garden of Eden. And Christ offers us some amazing insight for today as He prayed for all believers in every generation. This prayer will echo from the beginning to the end of the world. Listen closely. Listen with your heart.

“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! (John 17:13-24 NLT)

Jesus recognized the hate in the world that is opposite His heart for the world. But He also said while we do not belong here, He leaves us here. Why? To be a reflection of His love in the same world that hates His ways. That really simplifies and hones our mission on earth, doesn’t it? Could it really be as simple as we are here to be His love to others? Even in the midst of hate?

We seem to constantly have to work to put love in perspective … love for ourselves, our kids, our ex, all other relationships. Can you ask Jesus right now to give you His eyes for the world, for your kids, for yourself?

Pray: Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, You are love and You also know what it feels like to be hated, to the point of death. You were hated centuries ago and You are hated today. Help me to be an expression of Your love, not mine, and to be an answer for the hate in this world. Teach me to love like You. As above, so below.”