Aug 16
Divine Service
John 17:20-21 (excerpt)
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.
Where are we in the Bible?
In John 17:20–21, we are in the final hours before Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion. Having celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus offers what is often called His High Priestly prayer, documented in all of John 17. He first prays for Himself and His disciples and then turns His attention to all future believers. Jesus looks beyond the eleven apostles and prays for those who will come to faith through their testimony, including us today. Maintaining unity is part of the responsibility of the apostle ministry; as our verse points out, it is through their “word” that we come to believe in Christ. Jesus’ desire that His followers “all may be one,” reflects the perfect unity shared between the Father and the Son. This unity is not merely organizational but spiritual, rooted in God’s love and truth. Through this oneness, Jesus says, the world will recognize that He was sent by the Father.
Summary:
Oneness begins in the heart of the individual. It grows in the interpersonal relationships of the family, reveals itself in the congregation, and defines the life of the church. Rooted in Christ, oneness embraces diversity, unites all believers, and leads to a shared mission of bearing witness to the gospel. As Jesus prayed not only for His first disciples but for all who would believe through their message, He revealed that the unity of the church is both a gift from God and a calling for His people, serving as the defining mark of the one church of Christ.
Foundational Reading
Scripture: John 17
Catechism: 6.4.1.1, 8.2.20, 13.1.3
Location: 8:00 PM Service start — Houston Spring congregation