Text: John 17:1-26
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” —John 17:20-21
I’ve been to sports events where obsessed fans were united over one thing. The stadium can be filled with thousands of people from varying backgrounds and differences—ethnic, generational, religious, political, and socio-economic. They might disagree on an array of life issues, but when the umpire says, “play ball,” all of those differences take a back seat. They’ll jump, shout, and give an exuberant high five to anyone who shares their affinity, because they are bound together by a common DNA, which is their team identity.
For these sport-crazed fans, there is never any confusion about which team you are following. They are never uncertain about whom to pull for. They know their colors, they know their mascot, and they know what the ultimate goal is—to win together. In the heat of the game, their identity is absorbed fully into the team and that completely changes how they view each other.
As our Lord and Savior came to the end of His earthly ministry and stood at the threshold of a looming crucifixion, He had a dying wish. It is what theologians now refer to as Jesus’ high priestly prayer. He prayed to the Father that His followers would “know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom” the Father had sent (John 17:3). Then He prayed for the influence and oneness of these followers. Jesus understands so much more than we do, that the unity of His followers is a far more powerful apologetic than our impressive discourses, fiery preaching, and intellectual abilities to debate spiritual truths (see John 13:35). He capped off this intercession by praying that God’s love would be in them, or us (v.26), knowing full well that this kind of impossible unity could only be made possible by selfless love and humility.
Most importantly, Jesus revealed the ultimate win of this kind of unity—“so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Christ’s prayer should be the battle cry of every one of His followers—that others would believe…
When I look across social media platforms today it is hard to fathom that Christ’s prayer for unity will ever be answered. Because here is our major dilemma: Too many of us are settling for a quasi unity that is conditional upon man-made rudiments rather than the person of Jesus. We too easily unite around what is comfortable to us: “Christian” things over Christ Himself. Anytime we unite around certain religious leaders, denominational preferences, political entities, human authors, curriculum writers, the name on our church buildings, or our own brand of Christianity, instead of Jesus above all, we end up adopting a form of pseudo unity where we think we are living in unity just because we get along with those we have preferred in our religious circles, or those we have selected to get along with for ninety minutes on Sunday morning. Or better yet, we have fashioned a form of idolatry that attempts to remake God after our own preferential image as opposed to submitting to the image and desire of God.
Real unity requires humility and self-sacrifice. As impossible as real biblical unity and a loving Church may seem in this day and age, Jesus would not have prayed for it if it weren’t possible. We know it isn’t possible by human effort. It will take a supernatural work of God in us and others to bring that high priestly prayer to fruition in our generation, but just imagine the kind of apologetic, influence, and witness we will have upon a maddened world with that type of oneness with God and others.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, the idea of unity and oneness among your children isn’t some worldly concept of universalism, or liberal notion that urges compromising of truth. The idea of real biblical unity is at the very heart of our High Priest, the Son of the living God Who gave Himself to be a sacrifice for our sins and rose again to give us the kind of oneness and victory He prayed for. Holy Spirit, guide us into that perfect unity we see imagined by Jesus in John 17, and reveal to us where we need more humility and love to be part of that prayer being realized in our day. That love doesn’t come from more human rigor, but by abiding in you and your words in us. Amen.
Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion
- When have you longed for unity in your family, church, or community? Why is unity so difficult for Christians to achieve?
- For whom did Jesus pray? (John 17:20) Why did Jesus want all believers to be one? (v. 21)
- What did Jesus want the world to know? (v. 23) Why, or how, was Jesus going to continue to make the Father known? (v. 26)
- How is the Father’s relationship with the Son an example for us to follow in our relationships with other Christians? Why should the significance of Jesus’ high priestly prayer be important to us today?
- What can you do to foster Jesus’ passion for unity among fellow Christians? What is one thing you can do this week to strengthen your bond with other Christians?
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