Friday, June 09, 2023

²⁰ “I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word.²¹ I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. ²² I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. ²³ I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me. ²⁴ “Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am. Then they can see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world.²⁵ “Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me. ²⁶ I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.”

       Two billion in One!  I’m told that there are 2 billion people in the world today who claim the name of Jesus.  On the map of humanity, we are deeply divided … by continent, by nation, by denomination, by socio-economics and a myriad of other things.  We are so unlike the prayer Jesus prayed over us.  Here in Blakely, denomination and race have the church divided.  For 31 years of ministry and for 5 years here, I have preached unity; I have joined with others across boundaries for fellowship and ministry; yet, we are just as divided today as any other time.  Of course, I’m not in favor of bulldozing all church buildings in town and erecting one huge place where we can all worship, but isn’t there something to be done to bring unity?

       One family, united in Christ!  One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism!  Unity of passion (devotion)!  Unity of purpose!  I want to re-double my efforts to form friendships, brotherhood and sisterhood, with pastors across all boundaries.  I’ll do that starting today.  I’ll continue to preach and proclaim to all who will hear that the old boundaries are inadequate for the people of God and that we must reach across the lines!  O God, enable me; empower me.  I need your help to cut away any evidence of racism in me.  Help me to see You in the face of my brethren.  Amen!