In the garden before his trial and crucifixion, Christ asked for his followers to “be one.” He prayed for those who followed him then and for all who would believe later on—the universal church throughout history.
Many times Jesus prayed to the Father and we have no idea what he said. We’re simply told such things as “Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”[i] Christ and the Father had many moments of communion that the Word does not disclose to us. So every time God’s Word lets us eavesdrop on Christ’s side of those conversations, we should pay close attention.
Jesus taught us how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer. And through his own prayers, he illustrated his connection and communion with the Father. We hear him blessing the fishes and loaves before crowds and the bread at the Last Supper in the upper room, speaking to the Father before raising Lazarus, before choosing the twelve apostles, and before his transfiguration. We also know he prayed in the garden before his betrayal and arrest. And we hear his prayerful cry from the cross.[ii]
Jesus’ prayer found in John 17 is the supreme biblical call for accord among his followers. And unlike Paul’s letters to singular, local churches, Christ’s petition encompasses the worldwide church, for all “those also who believe in Me” through all time.[iii] Jesus directs us to love him, each other, and those outside our churches’ doors.
Through a series of that/sostatements, he tells us what should be (that) and what will result from it (so).
- That we would “all be one” as the Father and Son are “so that the world may believe” that the Father sent the Son.
- That we “may be perfected” in that oneness “so that the world may know” that the Father sent the Son and that He “loved [us], even as the Father loves the Son.”
- That we would be with Christ where he is so that we would see his glory, “which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”[iv]
As Jesus makes clear, the world’s ability to know God’s love relies upon we who are Christians loving one another in unity.
But it’s crucial that we consider what accord is and is not. Christian unity does not mean we dilute our doctrines and abandon our traditions. It does not mean we dissolve our church constitutions and form one gigantic doctrinally devoid church. It means we embrace a visible cooperation with one another—yet without compromise.
“Some suggest [that in his prayer] Jesus is only referring to a nebulous spiritual unity; however, Jesus emphasizes a form of unity that is visible to the watching world, and thus must be referring to a relational unity that can be observed. This does not mean we have to agree on every point of doctrine—we don’t! Nor does it mean we are to adopt some sort of fuzzy ecumenism in which we compromise the truth of the gospel or overlook sin within the church.”[v]
Journalist and cultural commentator Rod Dreher in his book The Benedict Option encourages interdenominational relationships—what he calls “an ecumenism of the trenches.” “To be sure, the different churches should not compromise their distinct doctrines, but they should nevertheless seize every opportunity to form friendships and strategic alliances in defense of the faith and the faithful.”[vi]
Accord means we form friendships and alliances, and we respect each other’s differences. It means, as C. S. Lewis wrote, we may “go on disagreeing, but don’t let us judge.”[vii] It means that, at the end of our weekly church services, we join hands to meet real needs and help hurting hearts find healing in Christ—that we be the visible church.
But we can only increase our ministry by learning how to meet people in their need.
Likeminded Christians of various denominations acting in accord will enhance ministry. We are the sand the Master turns into colored glass. He restores glass pieces cracked under the pressures of life. And he puts them together in a big picture that shows the world his great love.
We can shine the light of the Master on the hearts of the broken and lonely and invite them to become part of God’s big picture.
If you are broken, he can restore you. And once
he restores you, he can use you to restore others.
Excerpted from Restoring the Shattered: Illustrating Christ’s Love Through the Church in One Accord. E-version available October 2. Paperback, January 22, 2018.
[i] Luke 5:16.
[ii] Jesus teaching the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), his prayer intimacy with the Father (11:25–26), his blessing of food (14:19; 15:37; 26:26), his prayer around raising Lazarus (John 11:41–42), and his prayers before choosing the apostles (Luke 6:12–13), before his transfiguration (9:29), during his time in the garden (Matthew 26:36–44; Luke 22:39–46), and from his position on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:34, 46).
[iii] John 17:20.
[iv] John 17:21–23.
[v] S. Michael Craven, “Practical Unity: Living Out the Words of Jesus to ‘Be One,’” Christianity Today, May 14, 2014.
[vi] Rod Dreher, The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation (New York: Sentinel, 2017), 136.
[vii] C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis, as quoted in an email from the C. S. Lewis Foundation, January 23, 2015.
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“We are the sand the Master turns into colored glass. ”
This is one gorgeous sentence!
I do love this prayer and thinking about all the huge concepts Jesus prayed for us.
Thank you, Michele. The glass is a motif I’ve woven throughout the book. Thanks for reading and commenting. God bless!
I agree that we can go long ways to enhance ministry by working together. We need to look at God’s big picture a lot more.
Jessie
Your Story Matters.
http://www.onelostcoin.com
Yes, Jessie, using a microscope to analyze someone’s difference from us just leads to more separation. We all need Christ and faith in His sacrifice on our behalf. Thanks and God bless!
There have been times when I have fell on my knees and couldn’t speak. Needing to pray and not knowing what to say. I am thankful God already knew my needs and even if I didn’t have words, my prayers were heard.
The Spirit prays for us (Romans 8). He knows when we can’t find the words. Thanks, Melissa, and God bless!
When we are one as a church we can achieve anything! When the wicked people were building the Tower of Babel in ancient times, they all spoke one language and God said that they could do anything because they were united as one. Imagine what the church could achieve for God if we were all united for good and not for evil!
We can make a difference, Milton. Thanks and God bless!
Yes, that is such a beautiful statement, “we are the sand the Madter turns into colored glass.” Churches all have the same commandments to follow, but just our individual food choices, some like the way one church does something over another. As long as all follow sound doctrine then we should cooperate
Yes, Yvonne, and we can work to understand each other where we differ. Thanks and God bless!
I love that C.S. Lewis quote! It’s so true that we cannot waver on doctrine, but that doesn’t mean we must stay away and not love those who believe differently than we do.
Iron sharpens iron, Emily. Thanks for reading and commenting. God bless!
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture. Just the thought that God himself has personally prayed for me and I can read the words gives me shivers.
I love how you worked it into your post. I also love how you said this–
“We are the sand the Master turns into colored glass. He restores glass pieces cracked under the pressures of life. ” —
Absolutely beautiful. What an incredible picture. And how true to a life lived in him.
Thank you, Stephanie. We are indeed the sand He turns into glass. And He places the glass in the window that depicts the Church. The Light of Christ shines through us and shows the world God. God bless!
Hi Nancy,
Wonderful post. There has been quite a few times that I start my prayers; “Dear Lord, thank you for this day…” and my mind goes totally blank.
I used to get irritated with myself when this happened but I now look at this as a time that the Lord wants me to hear him.
I just started my Christian walk with Jesus “again” a little over a year ago. It’s amazing what you understand and realize when you’re older.
Thank you for sharing.
So glad for you, Monna. He wants us to hear Him and love each other. God bless!
Yes. Wholeheartedly agree! This issue exists inside the walls of churches, too, at least the large ones. I’m thankful that God preserves His Word and Gospel, and thankful for His grace.
Christ’s prayer for unity applies within our churches and among the churches who hold orthodoxy–Christ is God, virgin-born, sinless life, He died for us, He’s coming again. The Holy Spirit works through us today.
Thanks and God bless!
Yes and amen! So thankful that Jesus can heal and restore us. That He will never leave us or forsake us.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Heather. God bless!
Dear Nancy!
Like you, I have also often wondered what Jesus said in those prayers. Why did He, the son of God pray, one would think He didn’t have to do that.
To me, the idea about Christians loving one another in unity is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions.
Blessings!
Edna Davidsen
Surely, Christ was modeling connection to the Father for us. It would seem to be more than that. He was, for eternity, in constant fellowship with the Father and the Spirit. That fellowship was only broken at the Cross as part of the pouring out of God’s wrath as atonement for our sins.
We Christians are to love one another. We so often misunderstand each other and that gets in the way of our fellowship. And it is our love that distinguishes us from others.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Edna! God bless!
You’re welcome, Nancy!