John 17:20-26 (NRSV)
Read John 17:20-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 20"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, Verse 21that they may 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 that you have sent me. Verse 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, Verse 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Verse 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Verse 25"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. Verse 26I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Devotion
“I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (v. 26)
What is at the heart of Jesus’ prayer? Urgency! I read a sense of longing and desire for the disciples and for everyone Jesus prayed for to know God. If you want to know what God is like, how God loves and forgives, then look at Christ. Look at how Christ lived, loved, and forgave others. What does God want for our life? God wants us to know that we are united with him in love, and, as God loved Jesus, God loves us. That is a powerful and an amazing love. But it is a love that demands everything, our very life. Being united in love with God and giving all provides what we need for eternity.
Prayer
Thank you for the gift of love. Lord, open us to receive your love, so that we can love others in your name. Amen.