I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:20-23 NKJV
My sister wrote this one. I think the timing of it fits perfectly. Right here. Right now. Thanks, Chelle!
John 17, my favorite chapter in the whole Bible, the most intimate prayer between Jesus and God....and someone was listening....and recorded it on paper for all to see down through the generations.
Three different times Jesus prays, "that they may be one as we are one"...to me, it's such a profound statement. God showed it to me many years ago and it made me think of how we are ALL meant to be one in love, compassion, servanthood, etc. Every time I hear of racial uprising, I hear that part of the scripture, "that they may be one as we are one". Every time I hear pettiness about a family member's shortcomings, "that they may be one as we are one", every time I hear criticism in a Christian setting of how this or that would have been better if it had been done their way...."that they may be one as we are one".
There are lots of scriptures we hear on a consistent basis. Some I've heard so much, I don't realize that I've memorized it until I finish the sentence when someone speaks it. What's strange to me - in all the years I've gone to church, all the sermons I've sat under, all the ones I've seen on TV, heard on CD/DVD or podcast...my favorite, I've never heard preached. Could this be part of why we don't get along, no matter what the place - home...church...work...rallies?
This scripture also reminds me of the old song, ♪♫ We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. ♫ And we pray that all unity may one day be restored, that they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, ♫♪Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.♪♫
Another reason why I love this chapter is because Jesus not only prays for the disciples, He prays for us, the future generations. He truly did look beyond that moment when He prayed, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (the disciples carrying out His message), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you....I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--I in them and you in me--so that they may be brought to complete unity...I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
If we would just live beyond ourselves and show the slightest love and compassion to others - make someone feel special - it would change their day and their outlook. We have 2 generations of young people taught that it's all about them and to look out for number 1....Our generation, yours and mine, are the last people here to teach them to live, love and give beyond themselves so we can indeed make this world a better place. Our tendency to be shy and not want to upset the apple cart per se, has to stop!
We need to infuse into them -
The last shall be first
There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your brother/sister/friends
Love one another
Love each other as I have loved you.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to love like You love, teach us to be one as You and Jesus are one.
