This study finds us in the Gospel of John, after the end of Jesus’ last meal with the disciples. Jesus is praying before entering the garden of Gethsemane. It is hard to imagine what our Lord was going through at that moment. He was worried about the men who had lived beside Him for the last three years. The future of the world and His ministry were about to fall into their hands. And yes, the impending sequence of suffering and death by crucifixion was in His thoughts. When a person (Jesus was a human by all standards) is in such a position, His thoughts and prayers are most revealing.
(John 17:13-23)1NIV New International Version Translations – “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that 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. 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. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
For us today, this should be considered the ultimate prayer. What is it that the Incarnate God wants for humanity? This might be called the “Priestly Prayer,” asking humanity’s creator on behalf of those chosen to carry on the ministry here on earth. Jesus prays for three things: joy, protection from Satan, and sanctification through the Truth. Jesus is asking that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers will be set apart from sin and consecrated for God’s service. He is asking God to separate believers from the influence and power of sin and to consecrate them for God’s Holy purpose.
(Romans 6:22) – “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
In this prayer, Jesus is emphasizing the unity between Himself and His Father, as well as the unity He wants for His followers. Jesus is also praying for future believers, asking that they may experience unity with God and each other. This unity is to be a light for the world, reflecting the divine love and glory of God. In these last moments, before His ministry on earth ends, Jesus is focused on the mission left to us to complete. Jesus is asking His Father to guard us against the chaos and falsehoods of the world. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:5–6). What unites us with all other believers should be far greater than what divides us. Our unity should be our joint mission on earth.
- Our Belief in Jesus Christ: We believe in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God and the savior of humanity. His life, death, and resurrection are central to our faith, based on the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life with God.
- The Bible: We consider the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, as sacred Scripture. Because it is the inspired Word of God, it is our primary source of guidance and authority while living in this world.
- The Trinity: We believe in the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches us that God is a unity of three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we overcome sin and guide our human reason to the necessary revelations of God’s mysteries.
- The Resurrection: We believe that Jesus was crucified, died as a sacrifice for our sins, and, on the third day, rose from the dead. It is our faith in Christ that brings victory over death to us.
As believers, we practice sacraments or rituals, such as baptism and communion, which hold special significance to our faith. We engage in communal worship such as church service and prayer to celebrate our faith. Despite differences, the core beliefs mentioned above, as well as other common beliefs, serve as a unifying foundation for believers worldwide. Our takeaway must be that we have one faith and one God. Therefore, as believers, we are to live in a manner worthy of our one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Test yourself:
- Do you love one another? (2 Corinthians 13:11)
- Do you forgive each other? ( Ephesians 4:32)
- Do you serve each other? (1 Peter 4:9–10)
- Do you pray for each other? (James 5:16)
- Do you encourage each other? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Conclusions
The unity Jesus spoke about is not an organization. It has nothing to do with denominations or versions of the Bible. Nor is it about how sacraments are to be administered. Jesus did not expect us to dress alike, believe the same way, or raise our children with the same beliefs. Jesus asks you and me to share His life for eternity with Him. We are to walk with Him, learn from Him, care for each other, and be a light to the world.
(Matthew 5:14-16) – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In Jesus’ priestly prayer, He was not praying for the world. He was specifically praying for you and me today. Jesus was asking God to protect all those who had placed their faith in Him. In this, we should all be united!
Contemplations
- Can you express your beliefs in a few seconds?
- Ideas to Explore: Do you name denominations? Do you include rituals? Is your faith simple? Does your explanation make others want to know more about your faith?
- Do you see the common bond between people of faith?
- Ideas to Explore: Are you too political? Are you too secular? Are you too rigid?
- Who do you align with when it comes to personal comfort?
- Ideas to Explore: Are you more comfortable with believers or non-believers? Do you compromise your beliefs because of your desire to be friends with someone? How are you around family members who believe differently than you?
- Does your life mirror how Jesus lived?
- Ideas to Explore: Do you show joy even in suffering? Are you the “light” that points to Jesus? Will you be missed by those around you when you are gone because of how you loved them?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations