John 17:20-26: 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also [1] for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that  they also may be one in Us, . . . that  they may be one [with each other] just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that [2] they may be made perfect in one, and that [3] the world may know that You have sent Me, and [You] have loved them as You have loved Me.  ⁴“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me [4] may be with Me where I am, . . .  that [5] the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

What does this mean?   “I do not pray for these alone [the original disciples (apostles)], but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” It means that Jesus was also praying for us; each one of us.  WE are ones who have believed in Jesus through the teaching and the preaching of Peter, James, John, and the others.  So Jesus was praying for you (and me). [1]  Jesus is praying that we (all of us who trust Him) will be one with Him, with the Father, and with each other; all at the same time.  To me that is the same situation that is expressed when Jesus says, “When you trust in Me, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in your heart.”  Somebody said it was not just about us trusting God, but also about God trusting us.  What an idea!

[2] “That they may be made perfect in one” [perfect in this case means: whole, entire, wanting nothing]   This is just crazy.  With a few people I go to church with; with a few of those I serve with in various ministries, I count us as having a ‘perfect’ relationship, [whole, entire, wanting nothing]; they are people I actually spend time with almost every week, They are people I actually know; who they are, where they came from, what they think, how we feel about each other, about Jesus and about the world.  In a real sense, we DO have a ‘perfect’ relationship with each other because God/Jesus’ Spirit is in us.  Continue reading →