Week 34 - August 18-24, 2024:That They May All Be One

This week’s daily readings:

August 18-24, 2024

This week’s devotional:

That They May All Be One

by Rev. Lucy Albert

Scripture:

“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. 

— John 17:20-23 (NIV) 

Reflection:

Our family worshiped at a church for nine years that met in a YMCA. Along one wall of the lobby was a stained-glass window that marked a small prayer chapel. This exact quotation was integrated into the window: “…That they may all be one.” I typically experienced an inward eye roll anytime I looked at this window despite the lovely craftsmanship. What had been omitted, of course, was the important detail that Jesus prayed this prayer on behalf of Christian believers only. Absent from the gospel is any indication that all of humanity will be one. 

Unity: what a troublesome concept! What is Christian unity, anyway? Theologian N.T. Wright observed that “…all those who find salvation in Jesus Christ are our brothers and sisters,” yet among us we are divided and argumentative. It seems unlikely that this prayer of Jesus’ will be fully answered until he returns to reign as King over all creation. In the meantime, how are we to think about Christian unity? 

First, it is not to be confused with uniformity. Given that we are all image-bearers of the living God (and that every one of us is unique!), unity does not mean we all should be worshiping in the same way, or must embrace the same secondary beliefs, etc. 

Second, unity as a concept apart from God’s heart is not inherently positive. Consider those who’ve agreed to partner together to achieve any evil scheme. Being unified toward a bad end is not commendable. 

Third, Christian unity necessitates restorative justice. Godly unity may not happen after individual and collective repentance, but it certainly won’t happen without it. German Christians, disturbed by what they’d heard about what the Nazis were doing to the Jews, would sing louder to drown out the sound of the trains passing by their churches rather than attempt to address the horrid injustice. 

How have you thought about Christian unity? What could it look like for you to attempt to bring a greater level of unity among those in your sphere of influence? 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, how blessed we are as believers that Jesus would pray for us! We long to know that kind of unity here on earth. Help us to understand what that means for your Church and give us hearts that strive to make that a reality. We praise you for the same Holy Spirit that dwells in each of us, bringing us harmony. May he heal us of petty discords that would drive us apart. Let the world know that we are one in our faith and one in your glorious Gospel message, in Jesus’ name. Amen