That the World May Believe
The high priestly prayer of Jesus is recorded for us in John 17. We can read this wonderful prayer for His disciples, who lived then and who live now. It gives us great insights into the heart and mind of Jesus. It also shows us some things that we need to emphasize as believers. It seems that supernatural unity among all true believers in Jesus Christ is crucial, not only to glorify the Father, but also, so that the world may believe Jesus was sent by the Father to save us. (John 17:20,21) I think that is something we neglect, and it could be one of the keys as to why we are seeing fewer people come to Christ today.
I am humbled that Jesus prayed for me, and I think that ought to humble all Christians. He knew the power of prayer and the importance of interceding for other people. In fact, He continues to make intercession for us, as He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He prayed for everyone who would hear the word passed down from the Apostles, and His prayer was for us all to be one. The type of unity He asked for us was very unique. He asked that we would be one as He and the Father are one. That is an amazing unity! The Father, Son, and Spirit have always had a perfect unity that issued forth in perfect fellowship between the three persons of the God-head. The only time that unity was broken was when Jesus became sin for us on the cross. However, it was soon restored after He paid the debt for our sins. Now, we are to have that unity, so that the world may know the Father has sent Jesus to this earth for us. If they see the supernatural unity among us, as believers, it will cause them to know that there is a God, and that Jesus was God in human flesh, so they can trust Him as Lord and Savior. However, when we quarrel and fight, we push them away from trusting the Lord. They are led to believe that we are no different from them. Let's make sure that does not happen. Let's make sure that we have genuine love for every other Christian, even if we do not agree on every point.
Tomorrow, I intend to read John 18-20.
I am humbled that Jesus prayed for me, and I think that ought to humble all Christians. He knew the power of prayer and the importance of interceding for other people. In fact, He continues to make intercession for us, as He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He prayed for everyone who would hear the word passed down from the Apostles, and His prayer was for us all to be one. The type of unity He asked for us was very unique. He asked that we would be one as He and the Father are one. That is an amazing unity! The Father, Son, and Spirit have always had a perfect unity that issued forth in perfect fellowship between the three persons of the God-head. The only time that unity was broken was when Jesus became sin for us on the cross. However, it was soon restored after He paid the debt for our sins. Now, we are to have that unity, so that the world may know the Father has sent Jesus to this earth for us. If they see the supernatural unity among us, as believers, it will cause them to know that there is a God, and that Jesus was God in human flesh, so they can trust Him as Lord and Savior. However, when we quarrel and fight, we push them away from trusting the Lord. They are led to believe that we are no different from them. Let's make sure that does not happen. Let's make sure that we have genuine love for every other Christian, even if we do not agree on every point.
Tomorrow, I intend to read John 18-20.