JOHN 17:23

 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.

TO PONDER

The words of today's reading are part of a prayer Jesus prayed just before his arrest and crucifixion, and they are some of my favourite verses of the Bible.

Earlier in the prayer Jesus prays these words, "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name so that they may be one as we are one."

Just let that sink in for a moment. Jesus' prayer for his disciples and for us, is that we would have the same unity between us as each part of the triune Godhead. That we might be as one, just like Jesus and God are one! Just like God and the Holy Spirit are one! Just like Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one! That's the kind of 'one-ness' that Jesus wants for his church and for all those who follow him.

How do you think we are going at that as God's people? How do you think you are going at that as one who claims to follow Jesus?

As Jesus himself said in today's verse, it is only in our complete unity that the world will know that Jesus is Lord and that God loves us just as He loved Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, today I join my prayer with yours and pray for unity among your people, the church. Help us to lay aside any power playing or politics, help us to stop seeking ways to push our own agendas, and instead be united with you in the same way you are one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.