Sunday 1 June 2025
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one." (vs 20-21)
Background
John 17 is one of those passages that is a real privilege to read, it is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible, and in it we are given an insight into the prayer life of Jesus. The full prayer is in three parts and shows us what was concerning Jesus as he prepared himself for his journey to his death on the cross. Today we are only looking at the third section, but I encourage you to make the time to sit and slowly read through the whole chapter.
In the first two segments of the prayer Jesus prays for himself and his disciples. In the segment we read today Jesus is now looking ahead and prays for all who will become disciples and believe in him in the future; in essence this is a prayer where Jesus is praying for us. I take (and I hope you will also) real comfort in knowing that Jesus stopped and took the time to pray for us, and I pray that we can be the answer to his prayer.
In today’s passage, and in the earlier verses of chapter 17, we see that part of the focus of this prayer is for unity among all believers, so that all disciples – past, present and future – will be one; in the same way that Jesus and God are one.
I do not think that anyone would be surprised to hear that unity within the Church seems to be an impossible dream. However, imagine what the Church would look like if we could find the oneness that Jesus is praying for. Matthew 12 reminds us that a kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and that no city or house divided against itself will stand (v. 25), while Paul writes to the church in Corinth to remind them that they should all be united with the same mind and the same purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Can we be the unity that Jesus is praying for, a unity based in the love of God and not the divisions of humanity?
To Ponder:
- What is the biggest cause of division in your church and church life?
- What can you do to bring unity in that situation?
Prayer
O God of peace, good beyond all that is good, in whom is calmness and concord: heal the dissensions which divide us from one another, and bring us into unity of love in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. St Dionysius of Alexandria (c.190-265 AD)
Bible notes author: The Revd Stuart Reed
Stuart is a presbyter in the South East Cornwall Circuit and lives in Looe with his wife and their labrador. He is currently on a mission to find the best pasty and icecream in Cornwall.