It’s the lowest whole number, a singular object, or a word to denote a specific time in the afternoon or early morning. The word “one” has many different meanings in our language. It is used as a pronoun, in math, in time, and to describe a union or marriage. And “one” is used multiple times in Jesus’ prayer to His Father in the garden of Gethsemane the night He was betrayed and arrested. As He is praying for the future believers, He prays:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. – John 17:20-23 (underlines added)
Unified as People – Make Us One.
Did Jesus’ prayer get answered? Jesus prayed for his future disciples to be made one, in the same way that Jesus was one with the Father. Is that happening today? We have over 300,000 church congregations in America, which are involved in several hundred denominations. That doesn’t seem like we are one body of believers in Christ. We are more segregated today as the church than ever before. But this reality doesn’t change Jesus’ heart, “may they all be one!”
As believers in Christ, we have to know what is most important, unify around those truths, and be okay in the areas where we might see things differently than other sisters and brothers in Christ. As someone once said, “We need to major in the majors and minor in the minors.” For us at Abundant Life Church, we major in Christ and His Word. We allow the gospel to be our central focus, and everything else (worship styles, culture, preferences, buildings, and even some sacramental differences), can be absorbed in His grace.
To answer that question from earlier: Did every one of Jesus’ prayers get answered? I believe that answer is still coming as Jesus unites His church, and we see all people, tribes, and nations worshiping around the throne of God in Eternity with Him. (Rev 5:9-10)
Unified With Jesus – Make Us One.
Do you have a friend or a person you are closer to than other people? Someone who you share your greatest joys and deepest needs with? Someone you feel comfortable being vulnerable with? Someone who even sees your dark side? How close do you feel to Jesus? Before you answer that question, how close did Jesus feel to His Father in heaven? My guess is they were pretty close since they are both part of the Trinity. Jesus prayed, “that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me.”
This “oneness” that Jesus is praying for is a personal intimacy with Jesus. Intimacy is a word we use in the context of the marital union between a husband and a wife. Jesus is applying it to our relationship with Him. This union with Jesus is not physical or a new age pantheism. Rather, it’s a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. It’s an awareness that Jesus is always with us. We are never alone (Matt 28:20). He always listens to our hearts, and He is constantly interceding to the Father on our behalf (Rom 8:34). He wants to be invited into every hurt, every situation, every moment of blessing, every decision, every failure, and every success. Are you close to Jesus?
Unified With Purpose – Make us One.
As we are unified with Jesus and with the Body of Christ, we will also be unified in His purpose. A unified purpose brings two different people together and makes them “one” in their vision and actions. Jesus said, “That they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
The “so that” is so important. Jesus is praying that we are one with the body of Christ and one with Jesus so that we can be one in purpose. That purpose is…”so that the world may know that you sent me.” People need to hear about Jesus. As our culture turns away from Christianity and church attendance decreases, there is a greater need to share Jesus with the people around us. God created them, God loves them, God died for them, and God has a purpose for them. But who will tell them? Will we be unified with Jesus’ purpose, or will we join the many agendas of the world?
Jesus prayed, “Make them one.” Multiple people, but singular in nature, in relationship, in devotion, in power, and in purpose.
Jesus, let us see this prayer answered in our lives as we follow and serve You today!
