I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me. – John 17:20-21
The Lord had eaten His last supper with His disciples and now drew them into prayer with Him. The words are easy to understand, but the depth of meaning is powerful. Jesus held nothing back. He prayed for Himself, but then He prayed for these eleven men who had been faithful during the few years of His ministry. Jesus had done all He could do and taught them all they could take in at the time. It was time now to complete His own work.
He would send these men into the world to spread the message of salvation, but He knew they would be hated just as He was. He appealed to the Father to keep them united in their mission and purpose. He prayed that the Father would “keep them from the evil one,” sanctified in the truth of His word (John 17:15-17).
But then Jesus prayed for you! Those who would believe in Christ as their Savior because of the words spoken and written by these men would be His Church… believers over centuries, composed of every race and ethnicity in a world the eleven could not have imagined. They would be one in spirit. As the Father and Son are one, Jesus prayed “that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me” (v. 21).
Unity of believers is a gift of God developed as the love of Christ is perfected in each one. As Christ prayed for you, pray now for God’s love in His followers… a love that will challenge this nation and its leaders to seek the Lord of glory.
Today’s Verse: John 17:20-21
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
