Jesus prays for us today. We have seen prayers for the disciples who were there with Him, but today, He is praying for me and for you. He is praying for the church of this moment. Of all the things that He can pray for, what does He choose? Unity. He prays that we may be one. That we may be one as He and the Father are one. Unity matters to Jesus. As Christians, and particularly those of us who are Protestants, we often don’t think that way. But we see here today that unity matters to Jesus. So, unity should matter to us as well.

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Good morning! I hope this Monday finds you well. Today, we conclude our study of John 17, often called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. In this chapter, Jesus prays not only for His disciples but also for all believers—including us—emphasizing unity, sanctification, and eternal life.

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for those who will believe through the disciples’ message. His plea is for unity: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (v. 21). This profound unity is meant to mirror the relationship within the Trinity, showing the world God’s love and purpose.

As Christians, many of us come from Protestant traditions, rooted in the priesthood of all believers. This doctrine grants each of us direct access to God without intermediaries. While this individual focus enriches personal faith, it sometimes undervalues collective unity—a central theme of Jesus’ prayer.

Historically, Protestants have often divided over doctrine and worship preferences. Denominations are not inherently negative, as they reflect diversity within the body of Christ. However, Jesus’ call for unity challenges us to prioritize what unites us over what divides us.

Unity does not demand uniformity. It’s about collaboration and shared purpose rather than erasing differences. John Wesley’s words capture this well: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” As the church, we must focus on evangelism, service, and healing, working together across traditions to fulfill Jesus’ prayer.

Jesus prayed for our unity because it matters deeply to Him. Let us take this prayer seriously, striving for oneness in spirit and purpose. Today, may we embody this unity in our churches and communities, reflecting the love and glory of God to the world.

Tomorrow, we will begin John 18 and move into the events leading to the cross. May we carry today’s call for unity into the days ahead.

Have a blessed day!