“THEY MAY BECOME PERFECTLY ONE!”

John 17:20-23                    (ESV)

“[20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who WILL believe in ME through their word, [21] that they may all be ONE, just as YOU, FATHER, are in ME, and I in YOU, that THEY also may be in US, so that the world may believe that YOU have sent ME. [22] The glory that YOU have given ME I have given to THEM, that THEY may be ONE even as WE are ONE, [23] I in them and YOU in ME, that “THEY MAY BECOME PERFECTLY ONE”, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME.”

A few years ago my pastor at the time was leading our fellowship through a study through the book of John.  It was quite extensive, taking almost two years to complete!  As I begin contemplating these four (4) verses I can see why it took three years for my former pastor to get through the book of John.   

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER was prayed during a highly emotional and intense time!  Luke 22:44 even states “…And being IN AGONY HE prayed more earnestly; and HIS SWEAT BECAME LIKE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD falling down to the ground.”  HE KNEW GODS PLAN though and HE WAS COMMITTED to paying the debt for my sinful life to be REDEEMED!!!

JESUS not only endured the brutal scourging and pain of crucifixion, HE was REJECTED by the FATHER when JESUS took my sin and carried it to the altar of Calvary’s Cross!!  Verse 23 above says words that MUST BE listened to with DIVINE understanding, “I (JESUS) in them and YOU (HEAVENLY FATHER) in ME, that “THEY (me) MAY BECOME PERFECTLY ONE”, SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME.”

John 3:16 PLAINLY states “For GOD SO LOVED  the world, that HE gave HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE.”  THE PLAN was HIS to complete…….and HE DID!!!