John 17:20–23 (WEL) “I pray not just for them but also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 “That they may be one, just like you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may be one in us, and that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory that you have given me, that they might be one, just as we are one. 23 “I in them and you in me, that they may be made complete in one and that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, just as you loved me.”
V20 “I pray not just for them but also for those who will believe in me through their message,
That’s us today. Jesus’s prayer was present and future. God does not need reminders; He remembers His people.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Note this prayer is for those who believe in me.
Salvation is through the message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Matthew 28:19.
V21 “That they may be one, just like you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may be one in us, and that the world may believe that you sent me.
One means one in goals, service, work, belief, bonded (attachment) working together under the leadership of God.
Jesus states that He is one with His Father (God the Father).
Jesus prays that all people be saved—1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2, and 2 Peter 3:9.
Jesus’s motivation is for all to believe the Gospel and that Jesus Christ, God the Son, was sent to bring salvation to the world.
V22 “I have given them the glory that you have given me, that they might be one, just as we are one.
The glory we have as believers is justification and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We have been adorned with salvation. See Isaiah 61:10 and 1 Peter 3:4.
This glory is also manifested in our life and speech as we live according to God’s will. We want and strive with the help of God to love according to 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a, display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and live the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
The final glory we will know is when we believers are in heaven. Compare Romans 8:30 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.
V23 “I in them and you in me, that they may be made complete in one and that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, just as you loved me.”
Oneness, bonding, loyalty, safety, etc., are some of the characteristics of being one. This is increased by spending time together. For the Christian, this is praying, a readiness and safety to pray. We listen and hear God from reading and studying the Bible. We trust His guidance, His work in our lives to teach and mold us into the people He wants us to be.
We learn:
- Jesus’s concern for His people who believe and trust in Him.
- Jesus’s concern that all believe.
- Jesus’s prayer for increased emotional and spiritual bonding.
Questions:
- Who and/or what is your main concern?
- How do you bond with your wife and children?