Think on this, John 17, as we prepare for Easter! Jesus knew that He was about to suffer and give His life; in fact, if you look to the very next chapter in John the title is "Seized in the Garden at Night." STILL, knowing what was about to happen He took time to pray for us! This prayer is not just for the disciples or his followers at the time, but it is for you and me. He prays in chapter 17 verse 18, "Make them holy - consecrated - with truth; Your word is the consecrating truth." It amazes me that in this time when He must have felt such a heavy burden, He also feels a burden for us. A burden for us to be filled with the truth and unified as one body of Christians to spread His word. We often forget how important it is that we show unity as believers. We can't do it alone, and WE DON'T HAVE TO!! As we enter into Holy week, read the story of Christ and His journey, but take some time and study the prayer that He has for us in chapter 17. Several times He prays for us be of one heart and mind. Let's make that our prayer as we prepare for Easter. We can accomplish so much on our journey to spread Christ's story if we strive to be one with Christ and other Christians. We will always have differences amoung us, but we have THE MOST important common thread holding us together - Jesus died for us all - EVERYONE!
John 17:20-23 (The Message)
I'm praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind -
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
So they'll be as unified and together as we are -
I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in the oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.
