Accepting Responsibility

Accepting Responsibility

John 17:6-8, NLT

I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

Setting the Scene

Jesus began to pray for the men God had selected to be his disciples. Jesus had “revealed” the Father to these men, telling them, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NLT). The disciples had received Jesus’ words as coming from God; thus, they had come to believe that Jesus had been sent from the Father (see John 16:28-30). Jesus also said that he had “passed on” the gospel message, both in content and in calling. That is, he had told them about the Kingdom of God and how to obtain it, and he had entrusted to them the responsibility of spreading the Word. The disciples had accepted this responsibility, and through them the whole world would hear about Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus was also declaring that the disciples were ready for the next lesson, as difficult as it might be.

Getting Personal

Who passed on God’s message about eternal life to you?

How have you “kept his word”?

What makes passing on the gospel a struggle for you?

“Disciple” means “follower.” The disciples believed in Jesus and gave up everything to follow him. They called him “Lord” and “Messiah,” so they were willing to obey him, to do whatever he asked. Very soon they would learn that this would entail taking Christ’s message to “all the nations” (Matthew 28:19, NLT)—and they did. Because of their faithfulness, we know about Jesus today.

Every generation needs to receive Jesus’ words and pass them on. As modern disciples, we must accept our responsibility to tell others about God’s gift of eternal life through his Son.

Talking to God

As your understanding of the Good News grows as you study Jesus’ life and teaching, ask the Lord to give you opportunities to pass along the important truth of the gospel. Thank him specifically for those who have been faithful in bringing you the message of salvation.