Unity

John 17:20-21 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Before this, Jesus had just prayed to the Father for the twelve future Apostles. He asked the Father to protect them. Jesus asked the Father to keep them from evil and that they would all be one like the Father and Jesus are one.

Then Jesus picks up praying for us, and He continues to pray that we would all be one; and that, through our unity, people would believe that God sent Jesus.

There are two things that jump out at me. Number one, Jesus prayed for me! The Son of God prayed for me and you. Part of His earthly ministry was prayer. He had a very strong prayer life. He was always going away to talk to the Father.

It is very interesting that Jesus has not given up this part of the ministry. He is still praying for us and all of humanity from His High Priest office. Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 say that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Jesus continues to pray and to intercede, and we should join Him in this ministry.

Second, Jesus prays for the Apostles and for us that we would be one, that we would walk in unity. I don’t think the importance of unity can be stressed enough.

Unity is something that God prizes above other things. It seems to me that the Lord needs unity to move in our midst. In the Upper Room, on the day of Pentecost, they were in unity and one accord. In 2 Chronicles 5:13, they were all in unity, making one sound, praising and thanking the Lord. In both instances, the glory and power of God came and came upon the people present.

In Psalm 133, it talks about unity and likens it to the anointing on the High Priest; and the Word goes on to say it is in the place where unity is found that the Lord commands the blessing.

Can you see why the devil works so hard to get and keep people in strife? James says, “Where there is strife there is every evil work.” The devil works in the atmosphere of strife. God works in the atmosphere of unity.

The most interesting thing is, it is up to us what atmosphere we produce. You cannot control everyone and everything; but to the best of your ability, be someone that adds unity to the atmosphere in your home, at school, at the workplace, and especially at church.

The Lord is ready to move, so let’s create an atmosphere where He can command His blessing!