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Scripture

“I am praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will be one, just as you and I are one- as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us, so that the world will believe you sent me.”

Observation

Jesus now prays His concluding prayer.

He asks for the Father to glorify Him, so that He may glorify the Father.

He prays next for the disciples that the Father has given Him. He asks particularly for protection for them from the evil one. The world hates them because they follow Jesus.

Finally Jesus prays for those who believe in Him because of the message of the current disciples. He prays for unity that the world will believe in Him.

Application

Jesus’ prayer for His future disciples is simple- that they will be one in the same way that Jesus and the Father are one.

Of all the things that Jesus could pray for the future church, it is this one thing, unity.

He is not talking about a monolithic institution where there is a man heading up all the christians in the world, where only one style of worship and one kind of mission is allowed.

No, this is organic unity, where christian are so in love with Jesus, and therefore with one another, that we overlook the minor doctrinal and practical issues that keep us apart.

We must die to ourselves, laying our pride on the altar to be burned up by God’s Spirit- pastors especially must do this. How can we be “one” when church leaders are defensive to one another or play political games with one another?

As apostles are increasingly raised up to lead the church, they will provide Spirit-filled leadership which draws the Body of Christ together in new, grace- filled configurations.

Prayer

Lord, let the grace of your Holy Spirit pull down every wall that divides the church. May the church in every location know unprecedented unity in you. Amen.