John 17:9-11 Unity with God ensures His protection

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:9-11

Background

Jesus’ prayer showed His unity towards God: “All mine are yours (the Father), and yours are mine.” As Jesus submitted Himself to the Father to do His will, the Father extends His protection over Him and all that He possessed. In today’s devotion, we learn that God’s lordship and protection over believers are inseparable. Unity with God ensures His protection over us and all that we possess.

Observation

1.  “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me…” Here, Jesus’ prayer focused specifically on His disciples. This intercessory prayer will continue after He ascended to the right hand of the Father: “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you…” Jesus’ ministry would soon be transformed from active disciple making to the ministry of intercession for the church. Jesus’ prayer revealed the key concern that would affect the progress of the Kingdom, which the church must also include in their ministry of intercession.

2.  “All mine are yours, and yours are mine”. Jesus declared that all things that He possessed (including His own life) as under God’s disposal. And all that the Father possessed belongs to Him. Unity with God is paramount to success in all our endeavours. Jesus, in anticipation of His suffering and death on the cross entrusted His disciples to the care of the Father. Unity with God ensures that His will be done as well as His protection over all that Jesus possessed.

3.  “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me…” Jesus, in anticipation of His death and ascension to the Father asked the Father to protect His disciples. Here, we observe the intimate working relationship between the Father and the Son. The Father was in authority during the Old Testament times. Then, He entrust authority to Jesus at the point of His ministry when He washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:3). When Jesus went to the cross, He returned the authority back to the Father. Jesus again took up the authority after He resurrected and sent the disciples out into the world (Matthew 28:18).

4.  “… that they may be one, even as we are one.” Jesus urged the Father to keep the disciples united in peace and love, and to be focused on establishing God’s righteous rule on the earth. God’s rule on earth can only be established through the bond of love among believers. Hence, the devil aims to create strive and disunity within the church. The key to victory over darkness is not power but love and unity; love is power and love is the essence of God’s Kingdom. A people scattered by disagreement and selfish agenda is powerless against the smallest enemy.

Truth

1.  Peace, love and unity are the key ingredients towards building a healthy family, community and nation. Apostle Paul said, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3). Peace and unity is not just a personal virtue; it creates an environment of trust, of tolerance and humility that is vital for cooperation and synergy among members.

2.  We can never separate God’s lordship and protection. When we are in unity with God, we submit our will to His control and at the same time enjoy His protection over all that we possess. Many churchgoers desire His protection but live lives independent of His will. When we submit ourselves wholeheartedly to God to do His will, we can be sure of His complete protection over our spirit, soul, body and family and all our possessions.

3.  The church that prays together stays together. The church must continue to pray in the Spirit in order uphold unity in the bond of peace for the progress of the Kingdom. As the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, Jesus’ prayer will also be the prayer of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is crying out for the unity of the body of Christ so that the world may be reconciled to God.

Application

1.  Cover one another’s weaknesses. A person’s weaknesses can best be corrected without exposing them. Do not speak anything that may cast doubts on another person’s credibility. Cover another’s weaknesses while helping him become aware of it. Do all for benefit of the whole. By tearing down an individual does not help build up the whole company.

2.  Motivation through complements is a reflection of a united community. If we can be quick to notice another’s strength and slow to catch his weaknesses, this world would be a much better place to live.

Dear Lord, I will do all keep the peace and unity within my family, church and workplace. Use me to build up without exposing the weaknesses of others. Cause me to be a trustworthy person that others may turn to for help. Give me greater faith in the area of giving and cause me to see the fruit of my investment. Let my giving result in a priceless gift of life and salvation to those who need it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.