Briefing: Do you wear a Kevlar vest when you are on the job? Do you have confidence in your vest?

Dispatch (Assignment): Read John 17:1-19.

On the Street: Jesus prayed to His Father, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NIV). We have work to do and it will be dangerous but our Father will provide protection. This sounds a lot like our job as law enforcement officers.

Most of us would not go out on duty without our vest on. It is our protection against a shot to our torso. I have seen an officer get shot, point blank, in the chest. It was during the day on a crowded street corner. A suspect was about to be arrested when he grabbed an officer’s weapon and shot the officer in the center of the chest. Luckily the officer was wearing his vest. The vest did not stop the pain but it stopped the bullet.

Jesus also said, “I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 (NIV). He knows we have a tough life ahead of us but He has asked The Father to protect us. Like a gunshot to the vest, we will suffer pain and endure hardships but the Lord will protect our life (the life Jesus gives).

At the end of verse 11 (NIV) Jesus again asks, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name.” In verse 12 (NIV) Jesus said, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.”

Our safety was very important to Christ. He made sure, before He left this world, we would be protected. A large part of this protection is found in a well-known passage called the armor of God. In these verses we find that God has provided us with a helmet, shield, breastplate, belt, shoes and a sword; everything you will need to perform your job as a Christian law enforcement officer.

I continue to be amazed at how our law enforcement calling mirrors our Christian calling.

Investigational Resources: The armor of God is found in Ephesians chapter six.

Officer Safety Principle: Be sure to put on the armor of God before you begin your tour of duty.

from The Gospel of John Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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