John 17:20-26 The One thing – Unity

“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. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:20-26

Background

Jesus shifted His focus to pray for the disciples that would come after the twelve. In Jesus’ prayer, we recognize the key to church growth: unity in love and truth. He prayed only for one specific thing: that believers may be united in love and truth of the Spirit. It is through a united community that the world would come to experience God.

Observation

1.  “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,… that they also may be in us.” Jesus, having prayed for His disciples shifted His focus from the twelve to the disciples that would come after them. Notice the phrase, “that they also may be in us” signifying the same degree of intimacy and oneness as His original disciples had with Him. Jesus was praying that the believers of today would likewise have the same degree of intimacy and oneness as the twelve disciples had.

2.  “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.” The glory refers to the attributes of the sons of God; the love and truth of God. It is love and truth that enable them to stay united in the face of temptations and suffering. The disciples were scattered when confronted by the enemy at the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested; they could not remain united with Christ and with one another because the Spirit of truth and love wasn’t in them. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, the Father, the Son and all believers will be united by the indwelling glory of God.

3.  “that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus prayed that the rest of the world might witness the love of the Father through the unity of believers. A community united in love and truth will draw all men to God.

4.  “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me.” Jesus prayed that believers may be resurrected with the same glory as He had; the glory of One who is perfect in obedience, love and truth. And they would be seated with Him in the heavens to receive their inheritances. Apostle Paul talked about the grace of God that “raised us up with Christ, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 2:6.

Truth

1.  When we read His word, we also practice intimacy and oneness with His presence. Believers today could experience the same degree of intimacy and oneness with Jesus as the twelve disciples had. Through the Spirit, we can encounter Jesus in a tangible and intimate way as the twelve did. The tendency of believers, even the mature ones is to meditate on the principles of the word thinking that they had fellowship with God. Jesus is a man, whereas the bible is the value system of Jesus; they are two different things. Many knew about Jesus through the bible, but short of knowing Him and sensing His presence. His word is truth and no doubt is the foundation of our fellowship with God. But, it is through His presence we experience love and fellowship with God. Hence, when we read the word, we also experience His intimacy and presence.

2.  Focus on truth and love, you will beget unity. The mark of a Spirit-filled community is unity in love and in truth. Love and truth are fragrances of the Holy Spirit; they are the marks of a Spirit-filled community. Love is relational, as it takes at least two to love. Love is accepting the other without trying to change him. Love is covering for one another’s shortcomings without putting others to shame. Love is putting the interests of others before our own. Love is being mindful of how others felt before we say or do something. Love forgives and releases others from the debt of having to repay us. Love draws the community closer together.

Truth, on the other hand is a values system for abundant living. The community must stand on clear principles and boundaries. Love pertains to mutual acceptance, whereas truth pertains to laws and principles. Love pertains to the desire to fellowship with one another, whereas truth provides guidelines and principles how the community should relate with one another and with God. We try to create unity within the community, but only when individual believers know the truth and experience God’s love through His Spirit, then can the community be truly united.

3.  Evangelize the world by bringing out the best in one another. A community united in love and truth is the greatest expression of God’s glory. People are more attracted to a united community than to enlightening theologies or the prospects of a blessed life. People want to be part of a community that stands on firm principles and yet positive and accommodating. A community that does not speak ill of another; one that is non-competitive and unassuming; one that endeavors to speak the truth in a non-condescending way and brings out the best in people.

Application

1.  Seek to bring out the best in people by acknowledging their good qualities. Nothing is more welcoming than when people sense your confidence in them. Once they sense your acceptance and faith in them, they would begin to let you into their world.

2.  Practice speaking the truth in grace. Truth pertains to clarity and being objective about the other person’s strengths and weaknesses. Grace pertains to patience, always believing in them and giving them time to grow. Hence, when speaking the truth in grace, do not try to fix them or to coerce them into change. But offer them a new perspective in an attitude of humility and candidness. The greater the trust and mutual respect in the relationship, the more profound the truth, the deeper the grace.

Dear Lord, use me as an instrument to unite and never to divide. Teach me to speak truth and expose the deception of the devil so that true unity may come. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.