“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 all 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 met. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will you know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:20-23 (NLT)
As I have been reflecting on this season, once again I am struck by the discourse all around us, whether in words or violence. I pray for peace. As I began contemplating something to share, I was struck by Jesus’ prayers for his disciples, in particular for unity.
Having been one of many who have watched The Chosen, I know I am not alone in being reminded how the portrayal of the disciples highlighted the differences that they had from each other. While each of the disciples brought things to the whole, the show reveals over and over again their differences, their judgements, their belief systems. Revealing how their personalities, families, and experiences shaped them into very different individuals. Also, the show reminds us that they we’re just as frail and imperfect as each of us. Maybe I am the only one, but I know when I think of the disciples, I have tended to elevate them, believing that the disciples were of one mind and because they were present with Jesus, better Christians than we could ever be. It is tempting to believe that their experiences were less complicated than ours, in a simpler time, etc. but that is just not the case. And then consider the other witnesses around them, so hopeful, yet their expectations of what and who the Messiah would be or would do, were often impossible to let go of, illustrating our continuing weaknesses. Lastly, many faced challenges to their safety that few today will experience, but that didn’t dissuade them from proclaiming Christ as the Messiah.
Christ’s prayers in John 17—in verse 6 for the disciples and verses 20-22 for the future believers (including us)—were for unity. These prayers reveal Jesus’ primary purpose was to show that God sent His Son into the world (and into each of us), to create unity in the Body of Christ. But, what we see so often in “The Church” is our failure to be unified, or even a desire to be unified. Just as Christ took up his cross to save us, maybe the cross we have to bear for unity as His Followers is to put ourselves aside in order to pray for others, build them up, work in humility, be more open in worship, be generous with time and money, and be certain that we should not get sidetracked by arguing over divisive matters. Then, as we become more like our Savior, we become more unified and show the world His true Spirit.
Submitted by Wynndee Shipp Lee
Prayer Father, Savior, and Holy Spirit, — please hear our prayers for unity and peace. Thank you for Your overwhelming love showing us the Way. We praise You for Your mercy and grace to all of us.