One Church
Musings from The Garden
By Peggy Wyar
John 17:20-23 “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—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
In this scripture, Jesus’ priestly prayer as it is often called, we are given a glimpse of His heart towards us. Prior to this excerpt, Jesus prayed for His current disciples, and then He prays for us who had not yet even been born. These were His final words with His close friends, and He emphasized oneness as a great means for communicating the good news of God’s love.
This unity does not come naturally. In an age where independence and self-reliance are applauded, being interconnected with others in the Body of Christ can be challenging. How does a high-profile lawyer find common ground with a family dairy farmer? What common interests do a 5th grade student and a retired factory worker have?
If we attempt true oneness only from our natural ability it would be an impossibility. It is in Christ, and by the work of the Holy Spirit, that unity happens, gloriously surprising us all. We are called to participate in this work, and we best do this by having an attitude of humility.
What is humility? One dictionary defines it as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. I heard from a dear friend that true humility is worked in us when we have a proper view of ourselves in relation to God. Who can’t feel small the more we know God’s greatness?
Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
As believers, we are united with Christ. As we enjoy being loved by Him, the way we live is transformed. Our desires change. No longer selfishly doing our own thing, we now desire to walk with the Spirit and be obedient to God’s Word. Loving God with all our heart, mind and soul, and loving others, makes sense. Loving mercy and doing justice becomes what we practice. Being compassionate towards others motivates us to notice their needs and serve them. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we find more in His word that we can put into practice. We can live rightly by speaking truth to one another, praying for one another, encouraging one another, sharing with one another, forgiving one another, being kind to one another, loving one another, and being imitators of God.
As we do these things by the power and grace from the Holy Spirit, oneness within Christ’s Body becomes more evident. The Church becomes a walking, breathing expression of the loving unity between Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. As evidenced by Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven (where He still intercedes for us), His love is amazing and worth imitating. If His Last Supper prayer was asking that we be one as He and the Father are one, I imagine He is still praying for it.
Church – let’s humble ourselves and choose to live what He’s praying.
Ephesians 4:1-6 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”