John 17:20-26 (NRSV)
Read John 17:20-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 20"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, Verse 21that they may all be one. As you, Father, 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. Verse 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, Verse 23I 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.
Verse 24Father, 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. Verse 25"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. Verse 26I 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."
Devotion
The high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17 is the strongest assurance we have for the church’s ministry. The Lord’s vision extended far beyond his passion and remaining days on earth. He prayed to the Father “on behalf of those who will believe” throughout all generations.
The model for the church was its unity in Christ. Despite all the fractures in the outward appearance of the church, there is a unity perceived by faith. Our unity is a gift sealed in our calling of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:5-6).
How do we witness to our unity in Christ? It is when we love one another as Christ has loved us, by which the world will know that we are his disciples (John 13:34-35). The world needs this witness so that it may believe and see Christ’s glory.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant that your love may govern our lives. Amen.