Hi everyone, welcome to my blog. Today I want to share with you some thoughts on John 17, with a focus on where Jesus prays for the unity of his followers. This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible, because it shows how much Jesus cares for us and how he wants us to be one with him and with each other.
Unity is a big deal in the Bible. It's not just about getting along or agreeing on everything. It's about being one in spirit, purpose, and love. Unity is a gift from God that shows His power and glory.
The Bible talks about unity in different ways. For example, it says that marriage is a unity of a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). It also says that believers are united by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). And it says that all Christians are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Unity is important because it reflects God's character. God is one, but He is also three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery that we can't fully understand, but we can try to imitate. When we are united, we show the world who God is and what He can do.
But unity is not easy. There are many things that can cause division and conflict among us. Things like pride, selfishness, envy, anger, and bitterness. The Bible warns us against these things and tells us to pursue peace and love instead (James 3:16; Colossians 3:14).
In John 17, Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for all who will believe in him through their message. He asks the Father to glorify him, to protect them, and to sanctify them in the truth. He also prays that they may be one, just as he and the Father are one. He says in verse 21: "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
What does this mean for us today? How can we live out this prayer of Jesus? I think there are at least three implications:
- First, we need to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We need to abide in him, to trust him, to obey him, and to worship him. We need to seek his glory, his will, and his kingdom above all else. We need to have a personal relationship with him through prayer, reading his word, and listening to his voice.
- Second, we need to love one another as Jesus loved us. We need to be humble, gentle, patient, and forgiving. We need to serve one another, bear one another's burdens, and encourage one another. We need to be honest, faithful, and loyal. We need to have fellowship with one another, sharing our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears.
- Third, we need to love the world as God loves the world. We need to be compassionate, kind, generous, and hospitable. We need to share the gospel with others, inviting them to join us in following Jesus. We need to pray for the world, interceding for its needs, its problems, and its people.
These are not easy things to do. We face many challenges, temptations, and distractions. We have many differences, preferences, and opinions. We have many conflicts, hurts, and wounds. But we have a great Savior who prayed for us and who gave us his Spirit to help us. He is the source of our unity and the reason for our joy.
How can we respond to his call to be one with him and with each other? By showing the world our love for one another as his followers. By honoring God with our unity in Christ. This is how we can live out his prayer for us. This is how we can share his joy and peace with others.
Thank you so much for taking time today to learn more about unity in Christ. Tomorrow we will finish up this study on John 17 with Reunion. I hope you have a blessed day!
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