John 17:21

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:21 (KJV)

Context

John 17 is commonly known as the “High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. It is a prayer offered to God the Father just before His crucifixion. In this prayer, Jesus intercedes for His disciples and for all believers who would come to believe in Him through their message.

Meaning

The central theme of this verse is unity. Jesus prays that all believers may be one, just as the Father and the Son are one. This unity is not merely superficial or organizational but a deep spiritual unity rooted in the relationship between the Father and the Son. Jesus prays that believers “may be one in us,” indicating that their unity is a participation in the divine unity of the Father and the Son. This reflects the profound intimacy, love, and harmony that exist within the Trinity.

Jesus desires that believers would be one in the Father and the Son. This unity is not only among believers but also with God. It speaks of a close and personal relationship with the Father and the Son, where believers share in the same love, purpose, and divine life. All true believers are converted by the same Spirit and share the same work of grace, agreeing in the main points of faith and knowledge of Christ, even if they have different degrees of light and spiritual knowledge.

Biblical connections

The unity Jesus prays for is a gift from Christ, who has given believers the glory given to Him, so that they may be one even as the Father and Son are one. The ultimate design is that Christ, the Father, and His people might be united as one society, one family, with the church admitted into the society of the blessed Trinity.

Application

Jesus states that the purpose of believers’ unity is so that the world may believe that God the Father sent Him. Unity among believers is a powerful testimony to the world. When the world sees the love, harmony, and oneness displayed among believers, it becomes a compelling witness to the truth of the Gospel and the reality of Jesus’ mission.

This verse calls Christians to pursue and promote unity within the body of Christ. It encourages believers to cultivate a deep, loving relationship with God, seeking unity with the Father and the Son. By striving for unity, Christians demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and draw others to believe in Jesus Christ.

As believers, we should actively seek unity with other believers, avoiding division, conflicts, and discord. Our unity should be grounded in our relationship with God and modelled after the perfect unity within the Trinity. When we live in unity, we become a living testimony that God sent Jesus into the world, and it opens doors for others to believe in Him.

Reflection

Jesus’ prayer reveals that unity is not an optional extra for believers but a vital part of their witness. It is a unity that flows from abiding in Christ and sharing in His glory. As we grow in our relationship with the Father and the Son, we are drawn into closer fellowship with one another, and the world sees in us the reality of Jesus’ mission.