It was Chicago 1996 and the crowd pressed in to get a glimpse. My mission wasn’t to see the politicians but to spend the day with my niece who was working the convention. Then through the crowd I spotted a golf cart headed my way. “It’s ok, she’s with me,” the familiar booming voice commanded. Larry King said, “Come on Aunt Lu, we’ve been waiting for you!” My niece jumped off and wrapped me in a bear hug.

Have you ever been singled out to go somewhere special, like you had been given a special entry ticket?

In these verses Jesus defines his followers as … special. They may never walk on a red carpet, but they definitely have streets of gold in their future.

And did you notice, He emphasized, even as I — in other words, we’re in this together. In verse 14, He previously made this same statement, for they are not of the world any more than I am. When God wants us to take notice of something, He repeats it. It’s as if He is saying, “they’re with me, and we don’t fit in here.”

And this next part is my favorite! Sanctify them. Sanctify is a verb with many meanings such as, consecrate, make holy, bless, dedicate to God, anoint, ordain, purify, cleanse, unburden, redeem, approve, endorse, support, permit, authorize, allow, legitimize, SET APART.

I don’t know about you, but many times in my life I have felt overwhelmed with all the “UN” words: unworthy, undeserved, unqualified, unfocused, unclean, unable. Jesus is asking our Father to continually purify, redeem, anoint, and through His authority, make us holy.

This means, Father, as you look at this sea of humans, set them apart by reminding them of Your truth.

Imagine it like you are in a boat in the middle of the sea, with Jesus at the helm. We may be in the water but we’re not part of it. We’re still in a turbulent world, yet we are not alone. We are anchored to our Savior.

This prayer is so key to our faith, we can’t afford to miss it! Jesus did not ask His Father to take us OUT of the world. No, He said, set them apart, make them holy, dedicate them to Your service … sanctify them.

Why? Maybe you’ve asked God a million times, why don’t You take us home already! Have You seen the corruption going on down here? Babies are being murdered daily! Children aren’t safe at school! Your Word says what is right, the world screams, “It’s Wrong!” Lord, I am ready to go!

Jesus doesn’t reprimand but reminds us — don’t think these things but instead remember He sent US. Just like the Father sent Him, Jesus sends us into the world with a purpose.

He prayed that we would be tools in the Hands of the Father. Jesus sends us, and God sets us apart in the middle of the turmoil, so that we can shine His glory to a world that’s drowning in death and despair.

And by the way, to shine His Glory means we become springs of living water, bubbling up and out! God’s Word is truth, and it gives us JOY and this joy then produces strength to overcome. Never picture Jesus as a complainer with a sad face. Instead He was filled with purpose, therefore He illuminated every space He entered! And so must we.

He told us in this world we will have trouble, however our faces shouldn’t demonstrate that trouble with a woe-is-me attitude. Instead, we can focus on the exciting part of that truth — I HAVE OVERCOME the world. And we can too, with a smile on our face and His joy in our heart.

Isaiah 12:4-5 says,

“In that day you will say:

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done,

and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;

let this be known to all the world.”

Finally, Jesus says, FOR THEM, I sanctify myself. He set the example of what that looks like by being completely apart from worldly desires while living in the middle of its deceit and decay.

I encourage you today to:

• GIVE PRAISE!
• TESTIFY to anyone in your sphere of influence, the things He has done in your life!
• PROCLAIM His name in a world to those who are seeking; let them know where to find Him.
• SING!!! Even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, sing to the Lord.

Jesus demonstrated daily how to live holy in the middle of hopelessness. Follow Him into the obedient path of being set apart. He chose to suffer yet serve, so many more would have the opportunity to become singled out by the Father and hear Him say, “It’s ok, they’re with me.”