“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”
—John 17:20-22
And they all left him and fled.
—Mark 14:50
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
—John 20:19
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
—Ephesians 4:1-3
David knew what it was like to live in a divided country. He had experienced unjust persecution and betrayal and the toxic consequences of his own failures to honor God's commands. So, David was able to sing of the joy-giving, life-giving blessing of unity.
Jesus lived and taught in a time of divisions. Of coure, Pharisee versus Sadducee comes to mind, but there were other factions as well, some of which were willing to engage in violence and murder. It would be easy to understand someone urging Jesus to choose a side and work within it to spread His message. But He didn't do that.
He called people to Himself. And among His last words, before being murdered by those who claimed that they were doing it for their nation and their way of life, He prayed for all who would believe in Him—including us—to be one. Just as He and the Father were One.
When Judas showed up in the garden with an armed crowd to seize Jesus, the other disciples ended up running away. But, after Jesus was brutalized and crucified, after He had defeated death and left the tomb, Jesus came to where His disciples were hiding and proclaimed peace on them.
Paul lived in a time of division. He began as an eager participant in conflict. But then he met Jesus. He became willing to follow Jesus regardless of the political or economic or social consequences to himself.
David rejoiced over unity. Paul prayed for unity. Jesus prayed for His people to be one. He offered peace to those who had abandoned Him.
What He Said
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
—Psalm 133:1
“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”
—John 17:20-22
And they all left him and fled.
—Mark 14:50
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
—John 20:19
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
—Ephesians 4:1-3
David knew what it was like to live in a divided country. He had experienced unjust persecution and betrayal and the toxic consequences of his own failures to honor God's commands. So, David was able to sing of the joy-giving, life-giving blessing of unity.
Jesus lived and taught in a time of divisions. Of coure, Pharisee versus Sadducee comes to mind, but there were other factions as well, some of which were willing to engage in violence and murder. It would be easy to understand someone urging Jesus to choose a side and work within it to spread His message. But He didn't do that.
He called people to Himself. And among His last words, before being murdered by those who claimed that they were doing it for their nation and their way of life, He prayed for all who would believe in Him—including us—to be one. Just as He and the Father were One.
When Judas showed up in the garden with an armed crowd to seize Jesus, the other disciples ended up running away. But, after Jesus was brutalized and crucified, after He had defeated death and left the tomb, Jesus came to where His disciples were hiding and proclaimed peace on them.
Paul lived in a time of division. He began as an eager participant in conflict. But then he met Jesus. He became willing to follow Jesus regardless of the political or economic or social consequences to himself.
David rejoiced over unity. Paul prayed for unity. Jesus prayed for His people to be one. He offered peace to those who had abandoned Him.
Do we believe that He meant what He said?