LEARNING DAILY

John 17:20-21, I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

The Lord Jesus has encouraged His disciples He is going to be leaving them, has told them to continue telling others what He has been teaching them, and warned them about facing trials, even persecution, in the time ahead. He has promised to send them the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them and has prayed for them. In the verses above, Jesus now prays for those who will believe in Him as a result of their teaching and the Word of God. It would be appropriate to apply what He told the disciples and what He prayed to Believers today.

Several verses before, Jesus prayed, “As You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”. Jesus was sent into this world to tell people about the Father and ultimately take the place of every person who would place their faith in Him; He took the punishment every Believer should have taken for their sinfulness. Just like the disciples Believers are now to tell others about what Jesus Christ has done for them – how He saved them and how He is changing them.

The Lord Jesus prayed that Believers would be in complete unity, as He was with the Father. That means they are to have the same desire, same agenda as Jesus did in order to show the love of Jesus. He always did and said what the Father told Him to do; Jesus wanted to glorify Him. Believers today, must behave and act in the same way. Nonbelievers cannot experience the Holy Spirit; all they can see is His work in the lives of Believers. They see how Believers act, the changes that occur in them, and the love they show others. It is important that Believers hold each other accountable as unity does not mean deliberate sin and false teaching is to be tolerated. John’s writing is clear about those who love God will obey Him. That is often seen by the love shown other Believers. I believe when Jesus referred to unity, He meant that His words and actions were always consistent with the Father’s words and His will and that was proof that the Father sent Him. So should the words and actions of Believers be consistent with the Word of God as proof that Jesus Christ has saved and changed them. Others are watching the commitment of others to what they believe.

I want to close today with John 17:24, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may behold My glory which You have given me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world”. Jesus prayed this for His disciples earlier. Jesus wants Believer’s to know their eternal destiny is with Him because of His divinity. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He has gone to prepare a place for all who have placed their faith in Him. He is making this promise again for those who place their faith in Him and are walking the narrow way.

Be encouraged to place your faith in Him as you walk through every situation. Know that Jesus has prayed for you and continues to do so as He sits at the right hand of God the Father. Know that He is never surprised by anything you face, and He is walking with you as you go through your situation. It needs to be said again – He has everything you are facing under control. Trust that He does. All Jesus did was centered in His love for each Believer. That love leads to unity among Believers and when combined with obedience to Jesus Christ shows those around us His love and truth so greatly needed.