Day 38
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them that they may be one just as We are one. I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20–23)
Just before going to the cross, Jesus prays this prayer for us. It is His heartfelt desire for His people—for those 2,000 years ago and for you and me today. Jesus pleads to the Father on our behalf, that we be one with Him—that we join Him in the oneness He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Our union with Him drives His prayer.
Four times in this part of His prayer, Jesus asks that we “may be one,” just as He is one with the Father. Hours later Jesus paid the price to guarantee fulfillment of this request. Our atonement (at-one-ment) was accomplished on the cross.
Jesus took our sins and our sin nature upon Himself; He made Himself one with us so that when He died, we died. And when He rose, we rose. We share in His resurrection life; we share His divine nature. Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, is both one with His Father and one with His people. He is the bridge that unites us.
The life of God flows to us in union with Jesus. In Christ, we become the people God created us to be—“made perfect in one.” Jesus shares Himself with us so intimately, so completely, that His nature becomes ours. His glory becomes ours; the glory the Father gave Jesus, is the same glory Jesus gives us. His love becomes ours; the love of the Father for His Son is the same love the Father has for us.
In union with Jesus, the life of God flows to you so your life resonates with His and you become your true self—the son or daughter of God He created you to be. And in union with Jesus, the life of God flows through you. The life you share with Jesus is what creation longs to experience. That is your witness—“that the world may believe that you sent Me.”
God’s plan for saving the world is not so much about church programs or ministries. It is about His Son on display through His people. It is that simple and that profound. The glory of God—the love of God—bursting out through you, is God’s plan for redeeming the world.
But how do we express Christ who lives in us? How do we let God pour out through us for the world to see? How do we manifest God’s lovingkindness to others?
We don’t know what the person in front of us really needs. We don’t know how they are thinking or the traumas and hurts they have suffered. Do they need food? Shelter? What words would help? If Jesus were here, what would He do to heal the wounds of their spirit, soul and body?
We don’t know what they need to feel valued, treasured and loved, but the Spirit knows. He will guide you. Being at one with Jesus means following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He will lead you in caring for others the way Jesus would. At one with Jesus, you can fling wide the windows of your soul and let out His healing goodness.
You in your frail humanity—ordinary, limited you—at one with all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God, is your witness. Creation longs to see Christ on display through you. God shares His glory with you. And so, at one with Jesus, you radiate His nature to others—and the world comes to know and believe that the Father loves us even as He loves His Son.
Ponder for a Moment
Read today’s Scripture again. In your own words, what is Jesus’ heartfelt desire for you?
In your own words, what is Jesus’ heartfelt desire for the world?