Reflections with Andy - John 17: 20-24 – Make Us One

Today, we read Jesus’ high priestly prayer. He could have prayed to the Father for so many things. What does he ask for? That we may be one.

In this final standalone reflection before beginning a new Bible study series, Andy reflects on Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17:20–24, where Jesus prays not only for His first disciples but for everyone who would one day believe—including us. Exploring the difference between unity and uniformity, this episode considers why Christian unity is so difficult, why it matters so deeply to Jesus, and how only the Holy Spirit can shape us into a people who truly love one another. As we celebrate Independence Day and prepare for a new season together, we’re reminded that one of the Church’s greatest witnesses is not that we all think alike, but that we love alike.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

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Well, good morning! Happy Friday! I hope you are doing well today.

I hope you have some fun Fourth of July plans. We’re going to get together with some folks here in Starkville, hopefully see some fireworks, and just enjoy getting to know more people. We’re really looking forward to it.

Then, of course, Sunday is a big day for us. It’ll be our first Sunday here at Starkville First United Methodist Church. It’ll also be the first time I’ve preached since June 7, and that’s about the longest I’ve gone without preaching in a long time. I’m pent up and ready to go.

I always think of that great quote often attributed to John Wesley: “Preach with enthusiasm, and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” So I’m hoping everybody in Starkville comes Sunday so they can watch me set myself on fire!

Whatever you’ve got planned this weekend, I hope it’s a good one. I hope you get to spend time with family and friends as we celebrate our country and the freedoms we’ve been given. I also hope we’ll pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to help us know how to be good citizens.

I remember reading that Thomas Jefferson once said the greatest title he ever held was that of “citizen.” Whether or not that’s the exact wording, it’s a good reminder. As Christians, one of our callings is to seek the good of our communities—to make our cities, towns, counties, states, and nation more like they ought to be.

Now, that’s not really today’s devotion! I just hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July.

Today is our last standalone reflection before we begin studying another book of the Bible together next week. I still haven’t decided which book we’re going to study, so show up Monday morning and we’ll both find out together!

Today I want us to read from John 17, verses 20 through 24.

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, 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 in them and you in me, that they may become completely one...”

I love this passage.

A little background helps us appreciate what’s happening here.

This is my preaching Bible—the one I’ll use this Sunday. It’s been with me for a while. I like it because it’s large print, and these old eyes appreciate that! It’s a simple Bible without study notes or commentary.

When we read Scripture today, we naturally think in terms of chapters and verses. But that’s not how the Bible was originally written. The original manuscripts were scrolls, and the chapter and verse divisions weren’t added until centuries later to help people study and reference the text.

That matters here because John 17 isn’t really a standalone chapter. It’s the conclusion of something that begins back in John 13.

John 13 begins Jesus’ final evening with His disciples. It’s the washing of the disciples’ feet, Judas’ betrayal, and Peter’s coming denial. John 14 gives us, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places.” John 15 is the True Vine. John 16 focuses on the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then John 17 brings everything to its climax with what is often called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.

At first Jesus prays for the disciples who are with Him. But then something remarkable happens.

He begins praying for us.

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word.”

That’s me.

That’s you.

That’s the Church.

Before His arrest...before the cross...Jesus prays for us.

One of the first things He prays is that we would be one.

Earlier in the chapter He prays that the disciples would be one, and then He expands that prayer to everyone who would ever believe through their witness. That’s us.

I find that fascinating because, as Protestants, we’re descendants of a movement whose very name comes from protest. Sometimes we’re much better at separating than we are at uniting.

Unity is hard.

It’s hard to stay unified with people who disagree with us. It’s hard to stay unified with people we don’t always understand. It’s hard to stay unified with people who think differently, vote differently, worship differently, or come from different backgrounds.

But this is exactly what Jesus prays for.

He prays that we would be one just as He and the Father are one. The Nicene Creed tells us that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of one substance. Jesus points to that perfect unity and says, “That’s what I desire for My people.”

Notice, though, that unity is not the same thing as uniformity.

Being one doesn’t mean we all think exactly alike. It doesn’t mean we have identical opinions, theology, personalities, or preferences. I don’t believe Jesus is asking us to become copies of one another.

Instead, He’s praying that we would love one another.

There’s a saying often attributed to John Wesley: “Though we may not think alike, may we not love alike?”

I think that’s much closer to the unity Jesus is describing.

Seeking that kind of unity sanctifies us. It changes us. It draws us closer to Christ because we cannot love people like that apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot become one by sheer determination. The Spirit has to shape us, soften us, and teach us to love.

Loving people is hard.

Unity is hard.

Relationships are hard.

But that’s exactly why Jesus prayed for us.

As Paul writes in Romans, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

That’s a worthy goal for every church and every Christian.

So today, may we hear Jesus praying for us. May we seek unity—not uniformity, but genuine Christ-centered unity. May we love one another even when it’s difficult, because the world will know whose we are by the love we have for one another.

Thanks for being with me this week. Monday we’ll begin a new study through a book of the Bible, and I hope you’ll join me.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. Be safe. If you’re in the Starkville or Golden Triangle area, we’d love to have you worship with us Sunday morning at Starkville First United Methodist Church.

Grace and peace, and I’ll see you Monday.