“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
– John 17:20-21
John 17 provides amazing insight into Jesus’ heart and mind as He prays for His disciples right before going to the Cross. He doesn’t just pray for those in the room; Jesus also prays for “all who will ever believe in me through their message.” That’s all those who have come to faith since the first century. That’s us! How does Jesus pray for us? He prays:
That they will all be one … that they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
We are the “they” Jesus prays for. He prays for our unity, just as He prayed for the disciples to be one. Jesus told the first disciples during that last supper:
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
– John 13:34-35
The Apostle Paul likewise urged his churches to walk in unity. He knew that when the evil one wants to destroy ministry, he divides believers. When we are at war with one another, we can’t effectively go to war (spiritually speaking) for souls!
So, Paul begs the Philippian church to “… make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2).
Jesus prays, too, that believers will be “in us,” united with the Trinity. He wants us to experience the unity that the Trinity has enjoyed for all eternity. And He wants to fill us with power from above so that we can live in love and extend the Gospel message to those who need to hear it.
So, let’s work hard at laboring together for the Gospel with one mind, one heart, one soul, filled with the Holy Spirit’s unifying power.
And many, many women – where they are, as they are – will hear and believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to reconcile them to the Father through His life, death, and resurrection.
Lorraine Potter Kalal
President and CEO