Safe, But Not Spared
Thinking about what it means to be guarded by Christ
One of the most heart-breaking aspects of our lives today are that people are desperate for something to die for, but we’re afraid to give it to them. - Stanley Hauerwas
At first glance, Jesus’ words in this prayer seem to contradict each other. Speaking of the disciples, he says,
I kept them safe.
And yet he also says,
I’m not asking that you take them out of this world.
Strong Christian tradition holds that most of the disciples would go on to brutal deaths. The Apostle Paul, too. And even if you don’t hold to these stories because they’re extra-biblical, the accounts of Stephen’s death or Paul’s beatings could hardly be considered “safe” in the general understanding of the word.
So what’s going on?
Jesus never promises safety like we tend to understand it. For many of us, safety is a given. We live insulated lives, often shielded from real danger.1 In many ways, the Church itself has gone to great lengths to keep Christians from harm. Truthfully, the Church should be a safe place for people.
But what is safety?
Safety from what?
Jesus himself is about to ascend to the suffering of Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. And he calls his disciples to take up their own cross.
Perhaps modern, Western understandings of safety—physical, or freedom from peril or fear—are not quite what Jesus is talking about when he says he’s kept the disciples safe.
Rather, the provision of care he gives is about safety from the destruction of the soul. That kind of safety doesn’t shield us from suffering—but it does mean that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the life he has secured for us. It is the kind of safety that leads us not away from the cross, but through it.
And if this is the safety Jesus offers, then perhaps the Church should worry less about keeping itself comfortable and more about being faithful, even when it costs something. Perhaps the real question isn’t whether we’re safe, but whether we’re willing to follow him anyway.
John 17:12-15
When I was with them, I watched over them in your name, the name you gave to me, and I kept them safe. None of them were lost, except the one who was destined for destruction, so that scripture would be fulfilled. Now I’m coming to you and I say these things while I’m in the world so that they can share completely in my joy. I gave your word to them and the world hated them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. I’m not asking that you take them out of this world but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
Psalm 16
Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Apart from you, I have nothing good.” Now as for the “holy ones” in the land, the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about; let their suffering increase because they hurried after a different god. I won’t participate in their blood offerings; I won’t let their names cross my lips. You, Lord, are my portion, my cup; you control my destiny. The property lines have fallen beautifully for me; yes, I have a lovely home.
I will bless the Lord who advises me; even at night I am instructed in the depths of my mind. I always put the Lord in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side. That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous; yes, my whole body will rest in safety because you won’t abandon my life to the grave; you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.
You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand.
Prayer
God,
You have not taken us out of the world, but you have not left us alone. You have not promised comfort, but you have promised to keep us.
So hold us fast, indeed.
Keep us in your name.
Let nothing—neither suffering nor fear—separate us from the life we have in you.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
I know that many of you have had very difficult circumstances in life, perhaps even dangerous to the point of the threatening of your life. I do not mean to minimize this. But in general, citizens of the US experience less personal violence than the vast majority of the rest of the world.
Powerful! Amen!