“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
What a comfort to know that Jesus was already praying for us nearly 2000 years ago! We are those who believe in Jesus through the word of His original disciples. That’s us that Jesus was praying for as His crucifixion drew near! As impending suffering and death weighed on His heart, we were on His mind!!! Praise God!
What an incredible prayer! Our Savior prayed for our unity. That we would be one. That what unites us in Christ would always be more powerful than what previously separated us in the world. Our unity in Christ is greater than differences of gender, ethnicity, race, social standing, economic status, education, employment, or earthly achievement!
Moreover, we aren’t just united together, we’re united in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit! We are invited and united with our Creator through faith in Jesus! Our vertical unity with Christ and our horizontal unity with neighbors who look and act different from us are meant to be powerful testimonies to a watching world that Jesus is truly the life-altering, soul-saving, world-redeeming Son of God.
All of which means, we need to take unity very, very seriously. Rather than dividing over petty things, we must battle to be united. We might fight to love our brothers and sisters in Christ even when we disagree with them. We must strive to stay together rather than simply walk away. Our unity is a precious gift, a powerful prayer, and a deep responsibility. We must live this prayer by the power of this prayer. Let us be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one!