John 17:1‐11

Week 7: Start More Fires



Jesus prays for the unity of those who have received him. It is this unity that gives credibility to the movement that is our message and mission (John).  As the fire of the movement spreads (even unexpectedly), the church has to adapt its theology and practice to incorporate the new work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Peter must explain to the Church in Jerusalem how it was that the gospel was given to the Gentiles. Pressure from without continues while from within missionaries are commissioned (Acts). The way is not easy, but we are reassured of God’s support, strength and grace (1 Peter).


Though we can’t think alike,
may we not love alike?
May we not be of one heart,
though we are not of one opinion?


‘Is thine heart right,
as my heart is with thy heart?’…
‘if it be, give me thine hand.’
John Wesley


Day 43: Sunday, June 5 John 17:1‐11


Pray for guidance and discernment. If you wish, write that prayer here and use it for the next six days.

Read John 17:1‐11 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?


     After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give
eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.  6”I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.  11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 

Reflect


What is the “hour” to which Jesus refers? How will He be glorified in this? How will this enable you to know the only true God?


Why is the unity of Jesus’ followers so important? What is the source of that unity? What are its characteristics?


What is the relationship between unity and evangelism?


Respond

Pray for the unity of the church and our credibility in the world so that we might start more Holy Spirit fires without extinguishing each other’s fire.