The Lord's Prayer (2)

Monday, August 30, 2021

The Lord's Prayer (2)

“Father, keep them in Your name, this name that You gave me so that they may be one like us... so that all may be one, like You, Father, You are in Me and as I am in You , so that they too may be one in us.” John 17. 11, 21

Jesus also prayed for the unity of believers, aware that the work He left them could only be accomplished if they remained united. David wrote : “Oh ! How pleasant, how sweet it is for brothers to stay together ! It is like the precious oil poured on the head which descends on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, and on the collar of his clothes. It is like the dew of Hermon which descends on the heights of Sion. Indeed, it is there that the Lord sends blessing, life, for all eternity” (Psalm 133. 1-3). When God in the last days pours out of His Spirit on all (Acts 2:17), all barriers will disappear, much like when a swollen river overflows its bed and covers acres of arable land. Difficult then to discern the limits of the fields. The unity of believers proves to the watching world that, despite our differences, divine love unites us stronger than blood ties. If we tear ourselves apart, which of our neighbors or friends will want to listen to our testimony ? Pray that God will arouse in you the desire to feel united with the other children of God ! Jesus also prayed that we could proclaim the gospel wherever He has placed us : “Consecrate them by Your truth ! Your word is the truth. Just as You sent me into the world, so I also sent them into the world” (John 17. 17, 18). We all have a role to play in His work, not always on the other side of the earth, but often among those around us, with our friends and colleagues. The important thing is to want to obey Jesus' command : “Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teach them to practice all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28. 19, 20). It is said that a Scotsman came to meet Hudson Taylor, to ask him to accept him on his mission in China. But this man had only one leg. The famous missionary, a little taken aback, asked him : "Sir, why do you want to go to China, when you have only one leg ?" The Scotsman replied : "Because I don't see a man with two legs ready to go !" He was accepted on the spot by Hudson Taylor !

Source (His Word for Today)