In our Sunday evening class on prayer, we recently examined Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Before Jesus finds Himself betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane, we find Him lifting “up His eyes to heaven” and praying to God (Jn. 17:1, NKJV). Jesus first prays to God concerning Himself (Jn. 17:1-5). Next, Jesus prays to God concerning His disciples who were present with Him (Jn. 17:6-19. Lastly, Jesus prays for all “those who … believe in [Him] through [His disciples’] word” (Jn. 17:20). This means that Christ Jesus prays for us! Jesus knew what was soon to come His way in His betrayal, arrest, unjust trial, and crucifixion, yet He still prays for us.
Understanding that Jesus prays specifically for us ought to motivate us to pay careful attention to what His request to God is on our behalf. As Jesus prays to God for us, He prays for our unity (Jn. 17:20-23). God has done His part in answering the prayer of Jesus. God, through His holy, all-inspired, breathed-out word “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). It is through His word that we find what “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God’s word is the means by which we can know if we are living right by Him. This means that God’s word is that which teaches how to find and maintain unity.
We must come to see that unity is not going to be found by demanding things be done according to our preferences or our desires, but instead, unity is found only through humble submission to God’s word. Paul explains this fact in Ephesians 4:1-3 as he urges the brethren “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Paul teaches that unity is found through humility, patience, love, and hard work, all of which are essential as we “walk worthy” of the unifying call of the gospel (cf. Eph. 3:1-6)!
When Jesus prays for us in John 17, He prays for our unity. Not only does He pray that we all might be one, but He also prays that we might be with Him where He is so that we might “behold [His] glory” (Jn. 17:24). If we wish to see His glory and be with Him for all eternity, we must do our part now to be united in the word of God. May we all strive to humbly submit to God’s word in all areas of our lives so “that there be no divisions among [us], but that [we] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).
By Preston McElyea