20 “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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26 ESV)
In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for the present and future church to experience unity, mirroring the unity he shares with the Father. He desires a church united not only in fellowship but also in mission – to bring glory to God.
The “church” Jesus is referring to is the capital “C” church, which is the fellowship of all believers worldwide. Jesus prays that we would be united together in community despite our various theological distinctives. That whatever divided God’s people or whatever is supposed to divide God’s people wouldn’t actually divide us because the unity Jesus’ people would have is the same unity that Jesus has with the Father and with the Holy Spirit.
Imagine if God's unity could overcome our differences! This is what Jesus prays for – a worldwide church united in reaching people who are far from God and do not know God with God's love. This love is manifested not by our uniformity, but by our pursuit of unity despite our differences.
Seeking unity and fulfilling our mission of glorifying God are intertwined. When we strive for unity, even when it feels difficult, God is glorified. Moreover, experiencing this unity reflects God's glory within us.
Let's pray for the ability to love beyond our differences, fostering unity with fellow Christians. Together, may we pursue Jesus' mission of glorifying God throughout the world.
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