June 11 - Unity

June 11 – Unity

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you 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. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:20-26)

The focus throughout this last year in seminary has centered around the Trinity.  In each of my classes it has seemed to draw the attention of the professors and it has been discussed over and over.  One idea that continued to rise to the top in various discussions with the intimate relationship of the Trinity and how that translates to our relationships … perfect submission, perfect love.

Jesus says in this passage that He wants those who have come to be Him to be one – as He is one with the Father.  A perfectly unified relationship.  With that relationship, the world will recognize the hand of God on His children.

That was supposed to be how it worked with the Israelites, but it didn’t end up being quite that healthy.  That was supposed to be how it worked for the early church, but within a short period of time, individual ideas, plans and agendas broke that unity into factions.

It doesn’t seem like an easy thing to do if those that God blessed throughout history were able to hold on to it.  But, that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.  It probably means it will take a little more work.