I spent some time musing on it. The passage seems exclusive. It is full of phrases like “I am asking on their behalf, I am not asking on behalf of the world” (9) and “those whom you gave me from the world” (6)
When I read the New Testament, I find an overarching principle of inclusion. The good news is for everyone. The stories tell of Jesus being drawn to minorities — women, children, the poor, the Samaritan, etc. This is affirmed by the Acts and Epistles. The book of Galatians proclaims boldly, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (3:28).
Today, I read a text that seems exclusive. This stands against the principle of inclusion so lauded in the New Testament scriptures. I wondered, briefly, if this was creating a divide between the Jewish nation and the Gentiles with the Jewish nation being favoured. However, I quickly abandoned that idea as it certainly would go against the tenet of the book of John.
Eventually, I decided that the best way I could interpret this passage was to read it as a message in a time of persecution. It wasn’t a prayer for the whole of humanity but simply for those who were being persecuted. It would bring comfort — a sense that they had not been forgotten nor was their sacrifice unheeded.
I suggest to any reading this blog that the passage is reread in that mode — this is not a general prayer but exclusively for those experiencing persecution. It breathes new life into the prayer which mentions being protected and guarded.
As I was understanding it in that light, I thought of the Black Lives Matter movement which ignited into new life after the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Breonnna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and George Floyd. Sadly, many took to social media to proclaim, “All Lives Matter”. This now popular slogan avoids the conversation about racism, it denies the problems faced by Black friends and it closes important discussions which are still much needed. In a recent article entitled “Why is it so offensive to say ‘all lives matter’? Karen Stollznow (Griffith University) concludes that “all lives matter” is “a direct push-back against the Black Lives Matter movement. It is far from an innocent term celebrating the worth of all humanity”.
For the last three weeks Andy and I have been teaching a course on racism (in our context for foster and adoptive parents, childcare workers and court advocates). In the trainings we seek to create a safe and confidential space for people to share their stories. I listened in sadness to the stories of the racism many of the participants have and are experiencing. For those of us living with our white privilege and white normativity it is hard to hear the stories. It makes me want to shout from the mountain tops “Black Lives Matter”. And, to affirm that in the Lindisfarne Community, Black Lives Matter.
So back to the text, I have no difficulty in understanding this passage as placing weight on a particular group of people who were in great need at that time. It does not detract from the general message of inclusion, but highlights that at that time those under persecution needed special recognition.
