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Walking In Truth Devotional Update, Our Lord Prayed for Unity
Our Lord Prayed for Unity
John 17:20-23
Guy Roberson
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
The hour of our Lord’s betrayal is near, leading to His horrible abuse and terrible crucifixion. Knowing this Jesus prayed not only for His disciples but for all who would believe on Him through the word of the disciples. We must sense the spiraling intensity of his words. Christ did not pray this prayer dispassionately! F. B. Meyer says, “…as the weight of the jeweled breastplate lay heavy on the heart of the high priest of old, so does it press on him.”
He was concerned about his people’s love, holiness, and mission, but in his final earthly prayer he made unity his transcending concern. Unity matters to God. This is a lesson all who believe that Jesus is the Christ should take seriously as well. First, Jesus is explicit about the nature of this unity. He states it three times for emphasis:
“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:21a)
“…that they may be one as we are one.” (John 17:22b)
“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity.” (John 17:23a).
Christ prays for a supernatural unity that is modeled and enabled by the Godhead. Christian unity is supernatural because it comes from God’s nature and is only experienced in its fullness as we draw close to him: “…that they may be one as we are one.”
Why is it so very important that Christians be united? Because “all people will know that you are my followers if you love each other” (John 13:35 NCV). Unity creates belief. Disunity fosters disbelief. It is no wonder that Paul said: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). The unity for which the Savior prays is a unity that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and grows as we draw nearer to God by being rooted and strengthened in his Word. We are never closer to one another than when our hearts are genuinely focused on God.
Notice that this unity is possible because it is established on the Word of God. Paul gave us the platform for unity in Ephesians 4:3-6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The religious world is divided because this plan is not followed. If everyone believed and taught this platform for unity, we could achieve unity. What a difference that would make in our efforts to convert the world.
If unity was so very important to our Lord don’t you think it should be to everyone who professes faith in Jesus?
