Thoughts for the Day

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that 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. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 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. 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.

‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 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.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Chapters 14-16 of John's Gospel has seen Jesus teaching his disciples all the things they need to know before he leaves them, but from the beginning of Chapter 17 he switches from teaching, to prayer. Now he prays to his Heavenly Father on their behalf. This section is called the 'High Priestly Prayer', because Jesus intercedes for the disciples, as a priest or minister today might pray for the whole Church of God or for their local congregation.

Today's passage from verses 20-26 has three particular themes that have something to teach us:

1. Belief: Jesus prays for those who have believed in him. This would be the disciples, but also the wider band of followers, not forgetting the 70 (or possible 72) sent out earlier in his ministry and the band of women who supported them and who were to be the first to be at the tomb and believe in his resurrection. Amazingly his prayer also includes us, for Jesus prays for, 'those who will believe in me through their word'!

2. Oneness: Jesus prays that the unity found in the Trinity (God whose unity is Three but One) will exist between all believers. He prays that the new Church which will begin its creation when the power of the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples at Pentecost, will be one body! This puts a huge responsibility on us today to work towards unity within our diversity. (We don't all have to like the same food or hobbies to still be a family!)

3. Love: Jesus prays that the essence at the core of the Holy Trinity - which is love - should be at the centre of the community of believers, that is the Church. However, we should remember that the love he is speaking about is not a romantic gesture, but a costly one. For Jesus it was to lead to his crucifixion. Such love may be costly for us.

Jesus Christ,
our Great High Priest,
as You interceded for Your disciples
and for the Church to come,
we ask for Your help today.
We pray for unity among the different branches
of the worldwide Christian Church,
asking that we look at the things we have in common,
rather than our theological differences.
We rejoice that we recognise the Trinity,
that is God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
that new Christians are baptised in the name of the Trinity;
and that we celebrate Your last supper as You requested.
Help us continue to celebrate our unity
while continuing to tease out our differences.
Amen.