Towards the end of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, He changes the focus from an exclusive small group of leaders (12 Disciples) to an inclusive vast group of future disciples. He is praying for people who are not in the Upper Room or even in Israel. Most of them had not even been born yet. Jesus was praying for US! “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message” (John 17:20).
This unselfish prayer was uttered just a few hours before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Our prayers reflect what is most important to us, so lets listen carefully to see what was so important that Jesus would take time to pray for us. Would it be for our protection or purity, as He had prayed for those with Him in the Upper Room that night? (11-19) No, there was something we would need even more than protection or purity…
“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me…May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me” (21, 23).
Although those first century Christians would face horrendous persecution, Jesus knew future generations would face an even more subtle enemy – disunity. Oddly enough, as I was typing this sentence, I got a text from a friend telling me about two other pastor friends who were recently terminated from their churches. I am assuming that Jesus is still praying for His Bride to be unified.
Maybe we should join Him. I’m going to pray for New Life Church, which is one mile down the road from our new campus. The attached picture is of my friend Pastor Rick Bezet and me in Israel, dressed up as shepherds. Good times!
“One”= unity. It is very important to our Father that His children get along. Not only are fighting children annoying, they are a distraction to the mission of reaching a lost world. “May they be completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me”(23). Formerly churched people have not lost interest in Jesus, only in His dysfunctional Bride. Every time believers backbite, our message takes a hit.
Maybe disunity is why 3:4 Americans will not be in any church this Sunday. Or why only a third of church members will even show up on any given Sunday. I wonder if our lack of oneness has anything to do with why 8:10 students leave the church when they are old enough to leave home? Is the primary problem Satan? Sports? Democrats? Republicans? No – we are our own worst enemy – and obstacle to the Good News – when we are not “one.” We take the spotlight off of Jesus and onto our selves when we sow discord in church. “I have given them the glory (spotlight) You have given Me. May they be one as We are one” (22).
Let’s take time today to pray for a couple of other churches in our town. Pray for their success and blessing, and you might just be blessed in the process. I know our Father will be.
