Today's Scripture
Someone Prayed For Me – John 17:20-26
20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,[a] so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Larry's Devotion
What the passage says
In the preceding verses of chapter 17, Jesus has prayed for himself and the disciples. He then lifts up his prayer for future believers, those who receive the message passed on by the disciples.
Vs 21 …that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me, and I am in You.
Vs 23 …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as you love Me.
What does the passage say to me/us?
Jesus prayer seems unbelievable!!
He prays for all the people who will hear and receive Him through the word passed on through the disciples. He prays that they will live in complete unity, the same unity as God and Jesus. A unity of love. That includes all people who claim the identity of Christians…for all time. It includes us. We are now the disciples, given the responsibility to pass on the good news, the grace and Gospel of Jesus, even as it has been passed down to us!
How can we pass on this message of unity in Jesus, living in such a divided world? Our Christian community is divided up like tribes. Even our United Methodist world community is threatened with division. But look, Jesus makes an astonishing claim in verse 23 that unlocks the door, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You…have loved them even as You love Me.” God’s love for each person, each created being, is the same as the love for His only Son. Amazing!
Can we accept that truth and then live it? Only in the unity of love and grace. But there is a final assurance that gives us strength live in that unity. Note in verse 26, Jesus says, “I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known…”
Just like Jesus prayed for His disciples and the people who would forever receive the disciples message, He is still praying for us today! His prayer is the power that we need to live in a community unified in love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me hear and receive Your message of unity in love among all people. Strengthen me walk daily in this world seeing each person around me in that way. Order my thoughts and words to promote unity in love. Most of all, keep me assured that You are praying for me today! May our congregation at RCUMC be a model for that kind of unity.
Amen
*Contributed by Larry Dickenson
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