Jesus on the night before his death prayed for his disciples, and not just for them but for those who believe because of their testimonies. the content of his prayer of his prayer was really only one thing, that all of his followers would be one, it is so important that he prays it three times (John 17:20-26).
He prayed that they would be one because they had a shared knowledge of God. Shared knowledge creates unity. Think about how you get to know someone – you find common ground. Or when you catch up with old friends, you share the old stories of glory days to rekindle the relationship. As Christians, we have seen the glory of God which is shown primarily in his self-giving love in the giving of his Son. As believers we share this knowledge and so have a ground for unity.
Secondly, Jesus prayed that we would be one as we have a shared destiny to be with him. Hollywood loves to tell stories like Plane Trains and Automobiles which puts odd groupings of people together who find friendship as they move towards a shared destination. As believers in Jesus, we share a destination so we should be one as we journey together.
Thirdly, Jesus prays that we would be one as we all share a relationship with God through Jesus. In Tasmania when you meet a new person one of the first things you do is work out who else you both know and build a relationship from there. As Christians we share a one degree of separation relationship with God, and if God has accept the other then so should we.
The unity for which our Lord prays is not an end in itself, rather this unity is so that the world may believe who Jesus is. As we followers of Jesus show a unity that transcends human divisions people will see the love of God.
As we across Tasmania this Pentecost show unity as we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection in the breaking of bread together, let us join in the prayer of our King that we would be one not just in this act but in our shared knowledge of God in Jesus, our shared hope of eternity we have in Jesus, and our shared relationship we have with God that the world may see the Saviour we worship and serve and who gave himself for us.
Richard Humphrey
Dean of Hobart