What kind of supernatural unity and communion existed between Jesus and the Father? This is the same unity and communion that is supposed to exist among us as believers. This is exactly what Jesus was praying for in John 17.
John 17:9-23 I am praying for them….11 that they may be one, even as we are one…20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ESV
Jesus was making this intimate prayerful request to the Father that we would have this supernatural sense of unity and communion together and that would be the thing that captivates the world. The world will know us by our love for one another (John 13:35). Jesus invites us to the Table of the Lord for which he paid an incredible price. Unity doesn’t come cheap. It's very expensive and only a mature and sacrificial disposition can ever experience what Jesus prayed for us to possess.
Unity is expensive. Jesus paid the ultimate price for the spirit of unity to exist within us and among us. So many people so quickly abandon what Jesus paid such a great price for. We should pay the price as well. Just because we don’t agree on everything doesn’t mean we can’t have unity. We can have distinction without having to have division. God called us together as a family, so let’s be intentional about functioning as family demonstrating this powerful reality Jesus prayed for us to have.
There is a lot of advancement God has a purpose in this revolutionary season of the church that will result from the willingness to participate in a deeper reality of community. Come to the table together.
Psalms 133:1-3 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. NIV
When Jesus walked on the earth his body was covered by a seamless garment. From Aaron on down the lineage a high priest would wear a seamless garment. Bible is filled with prophetic pictures in our spiritual realities. The body of Christ is supposed to be covered by a seamless covering. Biblically speaking the garment of the high priest could have no tear or fabricated seam of any kind. It was authentically one!
This spiritual covering of unity has a dimension of power that the enemy continually fights.
It’s like a spiritual forcefield in place when we function in maturity, unity and love.
This is that atmosphere where the Lord has commanded blessing and life forever more releasing supernatural grace and favor from God over everything that’s taking place.
Every Christian should enjoy and protect this atmosphere of grace, love and unity. This unity is the result of spiritual maturity.
Ephesians 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV
We will be known for our love and unity. The world will be fascinated by this characteristic of deity that exists within God’s people!
Everywhere we go….
We Bring GP2RL Action Point: Be sacrificially intentionally about making a meaningful connection with someone this week.