42. John 17:20-26 Jesus’ Prayer for Unity Among His Followers

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. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

• God desires relational unity among His people that reflects His very nature, just as the Trinity is one (vv. 21–22). 
• God is love, and His love for us is as limitless and unchanging as the love He has for His Son, Jesus Christ (v. 23, 26).
• Jesus desires that His people be with Him and behold His glory  (v. 24).
• God wants us to be united in Him so that our unity will testify to His truth and love (v.21, 23).

• We are meant to be united in one God, despite the fact that we often struggle with unity because of our pride, selfishness, and misunderstanding.  

• We need God’s love in us to truly love others.

• We are called to be a visible representation of Jesus.
  
  

What did this passage mean to its original audience?

• The early Church was about to face persecution, false teachings, and internal struggles. This prayer reminded them that Jesus deeply desired their unity, and their oneness would be a powerful witness to the world.
• For Jewish and Gentile believers, this prayer emphasized that all who believe in Jesus—regardless of background, ethnicity, or status—are part of one body. This was a radical and powerful truth in a divided world.

What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?

 
Through today’s passage, I came to realize that I need to be more intentional about pursuing unity in my relationships. In a world that seems to be growing more divided each day—even within the Church—I’m reminded of how easy it is to fall into division, and how challenging true unity can be. From personal misunderstandings to differences between denominations, Christians often struggle to stay united.

But Jesus’ prayer in John 17 challenges me. It calls me to pursue reconciliation and love, even when it’s not easy or comfortable. Unity doesn’t mean we have to be the same in every way, but it does mean we are called to be one—in love, in purpose, and in the mission of Christ.

Still, I know that real unity isn’t something I can achieve through willpower or good intentions alone. Jesus continually pointed us back to abiding in His love. The only way to truly live in unity is by experiencing and sharing the perfect, unchanging, relational love of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So this week, I’m making it my goal to reach out to someone I’ve had tension with, and show them grace. I’ll pray daily for unity in my church, in my home, and in my relationships. And I’ll keep asking myself: “Do my actions and words reflect the love and unity of Christ to the world around me?”