4/3/14- Jesus' Prayer for Oneness

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

Thoughts: Jesus makes it clear He not only is praying for the disciples around Him who may be listening in, but He is also praying for those who will follow Him in the future (us).  His prayer is that we would be one.  Jesus answers many of our prayers.  We have the opportunity to answer Jesus' prayer by loving each other, and seeking unity beyond our differences in belief, differences in looks, differences in gender.  There are no caveats here.  Jesus does not say oneness except for when they are proud, or when they live in different places, or speak different languages, or believe different secondary things.  In the 21st century we are quick to divide the body of Christ as if we can cut off an arm.  Jesus separates the wheat from the chaff at judgment- we do not have to divide now (Mt. 13:24-30).  Jesus had said earlier (Jn. 13:34,35) that His disciples were to love each other, and He balances that love with His teaching on truth in the last chapters of John, He is the truth who calls us to love.  Oneness (unlike what "oneness" involves in some religions) is not being "one with yourself" but it is really being one outside of yourself- in one mind with God, and in one mind with others. 

Prayer: Lord, May your love and your truth abide in me.  Give me grace to love my brothers and sisters in Christ.