"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world will believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20-21
Have you ever stopped to marvel at the fact that Jesus prayed for you and me, during the hours just before his death? Did you even realize that he did? I'm going to be embarrassingly honest and admit that I never really paid much attention to the details of this prayer of the Lord's. But it's such a treasure, this heart-cry from the purest heart that ever had a beat! Its also very characteristic of our Savior: even as he faced a brutal death and a separation from his Father, he pleaded for the ones given to him.
'Given to him,' that's us! At that moment when Jesus was praying, we were still part of the 'who will.' 'Will' is such an amazing word! It's a guarantee, a promise: this thing is definite. When I think of people who aren't walking with Jesus right now, my heart sometimes does a little (ok, a lot) of doubting. Will they ever make the best decision that can be made? Will they ever leave the 'who will' category and jump back through the alphabet to 'sanctified?' But Jesus stated clearly: 'those who WILL believe in me!' Its a promise! His love never fails through the generations, and because of this we can have hope (Lamentations 3:21-22). As sure as the sun rises every morning, we know that the Spirit is working, calling out those who will believe. We may not know who specifically, but it is enough to know that he is calling each and every one of them that he has chosen!
'Through their message, that all of them may be one'
It's interesting that Jesus doesn't just pray for them to believe, but asks for our commitment and unity in the same breath. After all, how can they believe if they have not heard? And how can they hear if no one is sent to preach? (Romans 10:13-15) Jesus is sending us out.This is why its so important for us who believe to boldly speak the truth, to reveal God to the world through our lives, and to be set apart and in-tune with the Spirit. As believers, we need to work together as a team, to be 'one,' knit together because of one man: Jesus Christ. Our lives need to be that message that, through the Spirit, persuades the world to believe on Jesus as the Messiah sent by God.
**Check out Hannah's own blog HERE