“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Pastor Art Barrett
New Life Christian Fellowship (Concord)
“Father the time has come.”(v2) What does Jesus do as He heads into the most significant invitation/challenge of His life? He pauses to pray for the “kairos” moments (God opportunities) of the community of His followers. Jesus’ life and the cross reveal the glory of the Father. Jesus says the way His followers live in unity, too, will reveal the glory of the Father. This glory is the revelation of God’s love, beauty and majesty to the world. It is this glory that Jesus has revealed to you and me.
“I have given them the glory that you have given Me.” (v22) It is this glory that allows the character of our unity to expose the love and beauty of God to the world. The heart of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples (that all of them may be one), steadies our aim so we can see His love and His prayer for the world (so that the world may believe that you have sent me v21).
Jesus’ disciples are not meant to live in isolation from the world, nor in insular separatist fragments of Christian community, but we do. The word “disciple” means “learner.” May we continue to learn how to live – as one in Christ so that the world may know Jesus’ true nature, character and beauty.
What do you hear in Jesus’ words today? Do you hear an invitation to relationship or a challenge to live out? Answer this honestly, and you will reveal a “kairos” opportunity with God today.
Dear Father, the time has come. We want to be Jesus people. Thank you for the glory You give us as a community, in order to reveal Your love, Your character and Your beauty. May these days bring us to “kairos” opportunities. May we choose to live out the divine oneness Jesus says is ours. May it be done on earth in your church as it is done in heaven with Father and Son, so that the world will know. Amen.
Being away from my community (Shelter)has been difficult, but especially in this season. I absolutely love being a part of Shelter. It is a gift to be able to serve with people who unified and motivated by the love of Christ. I miss them very much.
Lena! Great to hear your love for your community. I will be sharing with Shelter this Sunday – May there be Kairos!
The phrase “insular separatist fragments of Christian community…” was well said Art. As I thought about that statement it challenged me to think about what the opposite of that might look like. We are called to be porous, united, approachable, open handed and open hearted both within and outside of our communities. Our unity and love serve as an invitation to those we encounter in our daily lives to come and follow Him too. Thanks again, Art. I really appreciate your thoughful contribution.
I also caught the phrase ‘insular separatist fragments of Christian community’, since it reminds me of the church I grew up with (and am still part of)–very inwardly focused and resistant to change. It can be frustrating to see how a congregation like that can miss out on the great things God has in store for them if they can just get past the concept of meeting the needs of members and clue into the concept of being missional. Also makes me think of that phrase from an old CSN song, ‘teach your parents well’. Sometimes we can learn a lot from our children if we can just get outside our own experience of ‘the good old days’ of how we did church. Certainly reaching the unchurched youth of today requires a new way of doing church.
I also like the phrase ‘insular separatist fragments of Christian Community’. This reminds me that we as a Christian Community (church bodies)need to connect more and support each other. Not to be ‘fragmented’ bodies of Christ, but a loving family not fragmenting ourselves because of worship style. Enjoy Today’s Blessings!
Helene, I resonate with your remarks about Christians not being “fragmented” . recently a co-worker and I exchanged where we go to church. I mentioned I had been to hers for a ministry , but attended another. She really pressed how if I just came to her church one Sunday , I would really like it. It made me feel funny, like my church was not good enough for her to see me not coming to hers! May we be encouraging and not discouraging TO one another. my church is a loving healthy place and I feel I belong there and do God’s work there and OUTSIDE of those church walls on Sunday. AMEN AND AMEN.
Amen – Helene! Too often we get the feeling we are in competition rather than serving the same King and Kingdom. The world pick up on the spirit of fragmented competition as well . . . its not encouragement. Jesus is still praying “May they be one . . . so the world will know You sent Me.” Time to be an answer to Jesus’ pray rather than praying our little group gets bigger.