In John 17, Jesus’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find God’s answer to redeem the Garden of Eden.

John 17 - Starting vs. 13 - THE MESSAGE

“I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing

 So my people can experience

 My joy completed in them.

 I gave them your word;

 The godless world hated them because of it,

 Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,

 Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.

 I’m not asking that you take them out of the world

 But that you guard them from the Evil One.

 They are no more defined by the world

 Than I am defined by the world.

 Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;

 Your word is consecrating truth.

 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,

 I give them a mission in the world.

 I’m consecrating myself for their sakes

 So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

I’m praying not only for them

 But also for those who will believe in me

 Because of them and their witness about me.

 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—

 Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

 So they might be one heart and mind with us.

 Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,

 So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—

 I in them and you in me.

 Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,

 And give the godless world evidence

 That you’ve sent me and loved them

 In the same way you’ve loved me. (John 17:13-23)

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 reflect His love in the same world that hates His ways. That simplifies and hones our mission on earth. We are here to be His love to others, even in the midst of hate.  

Jesus was praying specifically for his disciples initially here, who are physically with him, then he looks beyond the present to the future - to you and me. 

Listen again to what He prays specifically for you - 

I’m praying not only for them (his disciples)

 But also for those who will believe in me (that’s you)

 Because of them and their witness about me.

 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—

 Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

 So they might be one heart and mind with us.

 Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,

 So they’ll be as unified and together as we are…

 And give the godless world evidence

 That you’ve sent me and loved them

 In the same way you’ve loved me.

Can you ask Jesus right now to unify your heart for the world with His? To be evidence of His love for others - not your love - But becoming His love for others - the world.

Who is one person that comes to mind that you need to extend God’s love, beyond your love, to today?

 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.”