Of the twelve best know apostles, eleven were killed and the one who survived (John) suffered. Yet each would have said confidently, soberly, that Jesus protected them. Either they were all crazy fools (but they didn’t live or write like crazy fools) or they understood protection in a way we seldom do. I think our world, our culture, suggests, convincingly, that through things like investment and exercise we can be protected from harm for security until we die.  I think the kingdom of heaven suggests, and the apostles understood, that in Christ we will find protection from evil for service for eternal life.

It is clear that to the see the world as they did would change everything.  But it is not easy.  John wrote that perfect love casts out fear.  Oh Lord, give us that love!

– Reflecting on John 17:10-11