JOHN 17:20–23 – “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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
THEME OF THE DAY. THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR UNITY. Today’s scripture is like gazing at a majestic mountain range and being overwhelmed by its beauty. It is also like looking over an ocean and being lost in its vastness. And one more imagery would be that of gazing into a night sky filled with blazing stars and be humbled by the greatness of the Creator who named them all. Yet, this prayer of our Lord was recorded in His Word for us to not only marvel over, but put into practice the things He prays for. And one dominant petition in His prayer is living out the oneness we have with each other because of our union in Christ.
There is a lot in this portion of scripture exhorting us to practice unity, but let’s take one thing. It is the main thing within the petition. One doesn’t have to dig deep into these words to discover it. Just look for the repeated reason Jesus gives for us maintaining harmonious unity with one another. Twice He refers to the Father sending Him into the world. In each case, His point is His revelation to the world of Himself. Stop and pause for a moment and consider the heart and words of our Lord. This is staggering and places within us a huge responsibility when it comes to unity. We may summarize the petition of Jesus like this . . . “Father, I ask for a oneness among believers in Me, a oneness likened to what We have together, so that the world at large would know You are real and You sent me on a mission of redemptive love.”
Have we ever thought that our getting along as Christians; our mutual submission to one another in humility and love has direct impact on our gospel witness to a watching world? Jesus stated this clearly in His command given to “love one another.” He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). He does not say that “My people will know you are My people if you love one another.” He says, “All people” which would include unbelievers. I don’t know how that works, but it does. According to Jesus, one of the most important things we do to ensure accurate representation of Him and His gospel is loving one another, or maintaining loving union with one another. And let’s not forget the implied opposite. If we don’t love one another, then the world does not see Christ.
So, what is the application for us? First, corporately. What the world needs to see from us is not new methods to package the Gospel to reach the lost; not changing church to match culture in hopes of attracting unbelievers; and certainly not ignoring or downplaying the indispensable place preaching holds in reaching the lost and growing believers. No, the world needs to see us loving each other and that through practical unity of purpose and mission. The world will take notice of Christ’s church when Christ’s church makes loving its members their greatest ministry.
Another thing this truth must do is move us to fight with great spiritual resolve to maintain unity among us. And that only occurs when the Spirit of God is creating in each of the prerequisite to unity – humility. As we become foot-washing servants to one another, unity flourishes, and then the world will really see Jesus through us; the real Jesus who was sent to save lost sinners.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for the wonder of Your plan to unite all believers in Your Son.”
QUOTE: “The unity Jesus prays for is based on love; His love controlling His people and our love for Him.”
In the Affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim