John 17, Pt. 2: May They All Be One

How amazing is it to know that while Jesus was still on earth, He prayed for YOU?!

John 17, Pt. 2: May They All Be One

This week's devotions are written by my son, Bryant Forshee, Lead Student Pastor for Cross Church, Springdale, AR campus.

- Pastor Danny

"I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me."

(John 17:20-21, CSB)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is absolutely my favorite Christmas movie, and if I am being honest, one of my favorite movies of all time. This Christmas movie was a Forshee household favorite, and I blame my parents for my obsession with this movie (just kidding). One of our family's favorite parts, especially my dad's, comes at the very end of the movie. All the Whos in Whoville are gathered around the Christmas tree singing a Christmas song that everyone knows... well almost everyone. After a few seconds of harmonious singing the camera cuts to the Grinch who is hand in hand with the Whos of Whoville and he is "singing along" in the song. However, our previous-villain-turned-good-guy does not know the words to the song, and he is making them up as he goes. He then ends the song with a loud shout of the word "CHEER!" and the scene ends and cuts to another scene of a giant feast held in the Grinch's lair.

Why talk about the unifying ending to How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Well, it ties perfectly into what Jesus prayed for us as believers. First off, how amazing is it to know that while Jesus was still on earth, He prayed for YOU?! His prayer is recorded in John 17. Yesterday we looked at the emphatic declaration of eternal life, and today we are looking at what Jesus prays for His future followers. So, as the perfect Son of God Who knew that His following would go on and on and on for centuries, what does He pray for us?

Unity.

Jesus prays that we "all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you." Jesus prays that we as followers of Jesus will be unified. In this holiday season, where people are telling each other "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays", is there a fellow brother or sister in Christ that you are in disagreement with? Is there a brother or sister in Christ that you are not one with? If so, what can you do to make amends with that person TODAY? Maybe you need to set up a coffee meeting or reach out via text or call... but is there a brother or sister in Christ in your life, who you know that you are not one with?

If there is not someone that the Holy Spirit has put on your mind, PRAISE GOD! How encouraging is it to know that the request that Jesus prayed for you is coming to fruition in your life. How encouraging is it to you that you have the right relationships with the brothers and sisters in Christ in your life? Maybe what your response to this devotional is to send an encouraging text, an encouraging phone call to one of those fellow believers to encourage them this Christmas season!

If there is someone you are not one with, make it right with them this Christmas season. Sure, it may not end with you gathered around a Christmas tree singing songs together or at a big banquet feast together, but it would fulfill the prayer that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, prayed for you. And that is greater than any banquet or any song around a tree.