Many years ago I lived in a small town, which was blessed with numerous churches. In particular, there were three of the same denomination along the main street: one as you entered the town, one in the middle and one half a mile further along at the far end. It looked like effective mission had taken place – I later learned that the original one had divided over a theological issue and half of the congregation had moved up the road. Some years later, it happened again. A friend of mine who is a minister in that denomination joked with me recently: ‘We don’t plant churches; we just split them!’
Thankfully we worship a God who is able to redeem all things, even our flaws and foibles. Yet, it is a sad reflection of our capacity as humans to divide, to keep re-enacting the ‘curse of Babel’ in generation after generation. This is not God’s plan! In fact, quite the reverse: at the heart of the gospel is the recreation of a new, united humanity – ‘one, as God is one’ (v22). God is not just saving individuals, but a global community of people.
Yesterday we noted this striking prayer of Jesus that we would be protected, for unity; division is a sign of spiritual weakness, of not being fully whole in Christ. Today, Jesus takes that line of thinking further – unity is fundamental to our credibility in our mission to the world: (v21) ‘that the world may believe that you have sent me.’
This prayer is so important, Jesus actually prays it twice: (v23) ‘that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’
Our unity as believers is not a nice add-on, or a sentimental hippy dream, it lies at the core of the gospel, and of our mission. We are to be one, as God is one – and as we reflect that intrinsic oneness, so people can grasp a vision of something better for this world: an interdependent community of truly selfless love and service, not riven by petty factions and rivalries, or by ‘us and them’ language and lifestyle. We are the body of Christ!
I thank God that the churches in our team try to reflect this unity, with many cultures and every generation represented. We have also seen that many people have joined us precisely because of this loving diversity. In other words, it really works! Just as Jesus prayed.
Today, let’s give thanks for all church communities who practise this kind of unity. Let’s also keep praying for deeper unity, that the more of the world might know that our heavenly Father sent Jesus, and loves them, even as he loves Jesus. Amen.