Read:
John 17:20-26
The
final segment of Christ’s prayer is for the unity of all the future generations
of Christians who would come to faith through the testimony of the disciples
(v. 20-23). The same unity that is
between the Father and the Son is what Christ desires for all believers. Why?
The purpose of this unity is so that the world may know that God had
sent Jesus and that He loves believers, as God loves Him (v. 23). Jesus ultimate desire was that believers
would be with Him in eternity and see His glory (v. 24). The last two verses sum up Jesus prayer and
His ministry. The world did not know the
Father but Jesus made Him known. He came
to make the Father known – His goal was the salvation of the world (v. 25-26).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Think about the unity in the global church today. Are you involved in petty disagreements with
other believers and churches? Do you put
other churches down? Do you talk
negatively about other believers? These
are all sinful attitudes and actions.
Spend some time in personal confession of any of these sins that you
have been involved in.
2.
Pray that you would be filled with God’s love for
the church and believers.
3.
Pray that the church would grow in unity, not
fake worldly unity but a true unity that is based on alignment with Christ and
His plans and will.