Jesus Speaks

January 23

John 17 is a fascinating chapter as it is completely dedicated to one thing: Jesus praying for His disciples. On April 16, we will read in Luke’s Gospel that one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. So, what is often called “The Lord’s Prayer” is actually the Disciples’ Prayer, and John 17 is the Lord’s Prayer—the prayer that the Lord Himself prayed.

In this prayer, Jesus prays for His immediate disciples, but He doesn’t stop there. He also prays for those whom His disciples will disciple. (John 17:20) Thousands of years later, after generations of disciples have discipled others who have discipled others, Jesus’ prayers apply to us, and the benefits of those prayers continue to fall on us.

So what does Jesus pray for His disciples? Fame? Success? Riches? Health? No. He doesn’t pray for any of those things. He prays for His disciples to be unified—just as He and His Father are unified. Wow! That is an indivisible unity!

Why would Jesus pray for unity rather than what we often pray for today? Because the disciples would need unity to overcome the evil one. (John 17:15; Matthew 6:13) They would need unity to take care of each other’s needs. (Acts 2:44–45) They would need unity to be of one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2) They would need unity to fulfill the Father’s mission, just as Jesus had done in His unity with His Father. (John 17:21)

Jesus had previously talked about His other sheep. (John 10:16; John 11:52) In Jesus’ sacrificial death, He would unite the sheep from two different flocks; they would become one flock. And throughout the early church described in the Book of Acts and in the New Testament letters, we see instances where His sheep fought about what it meant to be one of Jesus’ sheep. Jesus’ disciples would have to be unified.

Paul had his hands full as he dealt with division in the church at Corinth! But even today we see division among Jesus’ disciples. In some towns, divisions of Jesus’ disciples manifest across the street, down the street, and across town from each other. Each has its own division highlighted on its sign: Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Nondenominational, etc. Other divisions are more subtle, but division is still there, when we look beneath the surface.

The inspired psalmist declared, “How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!” (Psalm 133:1, CSB) Unity is a beautiful gift of God!

Not all division is wrong, though. In fact, some “division” can be heathy. The fact that God gives different spiritual gifts to believers, for example, shows us very healthy and necessary distinction within the Body of Christ. But unity and love remain the distinguishing marks of Jesus’ disciples. (John 13:35; 17:23)

We should be known for what unites us, rather than what divides us. And unity for unity’s sake isn’t what unites us. What unites us is the purpose of bringing glory to God. (John 17:22–23)

Application

In what ways do you see division between other churches and yours? More personally, in what ways do you see division between other believers and you? How does God want to bring about more unity between you and other believers? What changes do you need to make in your beliefs, attitudes, and behavior?

Perhaps we need to change what we pray for to match the priorities Jesus had and prayed for.

© Copyright 2026 Craig Beaman