Although many followed Jesus for a while, most of them fell away (John 6:66).  However, the twelve disciples stayed with Jesus, but finally, Judas was sent from the Last Supper to betray his Master (John 13:21-27). All the time they had been with Jesus, He had protected them.  They were under the shadow of the Name of the Saviour and had been kept safe.  

But after Jesus returned to the Father, who would protect His people and His church?   Jesus prayed that the Father would keep them just as safe and secure as if Jesus was still with them.  The power of the Name of the Father, the Name which He shared with His Son, was still strong enough to defend His people.  They would be able to pray in Jesus’ Name (John 16:23-24) and Father God would respond.

Some might say that the security was short-lived.  After all, Stephen was stoned to death a year or so later (Acts 7:59-60) and James was beheaded (Acts 12:2).  Beatings, imprisonment and physical dangers seemed routine for the apostles (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).  But they were all protected for as long as the Lord wanted them to do His work.  Even Paul’s prison experience in Rome enabled him to write so many of the letters which form our New Testament.  Then, when each apostle had completed the work the Lord gave him, the Lord allowed his physical death (and many of them were martyred) – their spirits were separated from their bodies to be at home with the Lord (Acts 7:59; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

The same principle is still true. The Lord protects those who are His, so that they can serve Him and bring Him glory.  When their work is done (and only the Lord knows when), they join Jesus and share in His glory.  Yes, there is suffering along the way. Philippians 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him …”, but at the same time no testing is greater than we can bear in His strength (1 Corinthians 10:13).  So, whatever the circumstances, it is safe to trust yourself to the Lord.  The Name of Jesus is your shelter, comfort and protection.  If He allows suffering, He will also give you the grace to endure it, until He chooses the time to take you home.  Jesus is building His church with ordinary people like us: He will protect us until our work is done.