ADVENT - “For Unity”
Our time together this week has us reflecting on the prayers of Jesus and how they shed light on what was important to Him. Jesus understood how simple, yet at the same time incredibly complicated, our connections with others can be. Nevertheless, the oneness of believers was such a priority to Jesus that it served as the topic of His most extended prayer, and it's this prayer we want to meditate on today. But, before we begin, I want to provide space for you to consider your relationships and connections with others. Pray over places where tension, avoidance, disagreement, and miscommunication are present.
Scholars often refer to John 17 as the Farewell Prayer, as it sits between Jesus' final instructions to His disciples and the events that transpired leading to the cross. Although knowing He would be leaving soon, His concern centers on the people who would carry on His message. Jesus prays for the future church and us as believers. He desires for us to be ONE, and that unity, togetherness, and love would be our defining markers. Let’s take a moment and read this beautiful prayer starting in verse 20:
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 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.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
How we treat, care for, and love each other sends a message to the outside world. Our redemptive relationships should cause those around us to take notice. If this is the case, we must get gut-level honest about our relationships and our job regarding living together.
Unity is a bold prayer we can only fulfill if we're for each other. It begins with humility conquering pride, and selflessness replacing selfishness. It entails letting go of our hopes and needs for the greater good of those around us. All of this sounds good in theory, but we naturally resist making togetherness a reality. We adore the idea of togetherness, not the implications of living together.
Running the race marked out for us mentioned in Hebrews 11 is a team event. We can spend our days focused solely on our little world and nothing else. We might cross the finish line on our own, but by doing so, we drag others along and hurt them, ultimately causing everyone to lose. Togetherness isn't about us simply getting along but rather reflecting Christ's image to the world. Keeping in step with one another and pursuing unity requires communication and honesty about our hearts, struggles, and conflicts. Our hope for change and impact remains tethered to our drive to help others succeed.
Love is a force that breathes value and worth into another. The exchange of love takes place in our connections. Relationships are the framework through which love gets expressed and experienced. We love when we give ourselves away for the good of another.
REFLECT
Before we wrap up our time together, we want to provide you some space to respond to what we read and maybe to what God is trying to say to you. First, take a moment to process this question…What tangible steps are you taking to ensure Jesus' prayer for unity gets answered
Another question to consider is this…Is there a relationship where you are out of step with one another? What conversations need to take place?
PRAYER
God, I want to be a champion for others. Open my eyes to where pride and selflessness remain inside my heart. Today, may I have others-focused eyes and a servant's heart. Where there is conflict, may I pursue reconciliation, redemption, and unity. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.