AUGUST 29 | John 17:20-23

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DAILY READING

John 17:20-23

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REFLECTION

The Essence of The Gospel:

One Perfect & Complete Unity

By Vincent Jerrome

These are truly some of the most astounding words ever spoken. 

As I read these, there is no doubt in my mind that Christ himself knew they would be. 

In great men of old. In those who did battle. In the ones who defeated the adversaries both inside and out.

This is where the very people who Jesus was speaking to would have been told to look for God.

Before the High Priest. In the chamber of a room only he could enter. In a Name that can only be uttered once a year. Behind walls and vails, rituals and purifications, bloodline divisions and hundreds of laws.  

 This is where he was to be found.

In this breathtaking prayer, just as Christ knows he will soon be delivered to the chief priests; this whole paradigm is completely shattered and reborn. Just as he foretold of the temple of his body.

Christ asks his Father, The Lord God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the author of life and salvation itself;

For us to be one in Him, as he is in God.

“Just as you are in me, and I am in you.” (v. 21)

“I in them and you in me— so that they may be brought to complete unity” (v. 23)

This is absolutely stunning.

This is truly the essence of the Gospel Jesus brought to the world. 

There is now no other place to look for God other than Christ himself. 

We no longer must look only to the temple of Jerusalem. It is not held in the hands of the elect few who perform the correct rites and rituals.

Rather, it is to be found delivered into those chief priests' hands just moments later, and nailed to a cross outside the city gates.

In the spirit that was lifted up at his sacrifice to the very Father he is one with. And in the same spirit that is now within us all to this very second. 

Just as Christ's body was hanging high on the cross, the vail of the temple was torn for all to see.

This is where God is to be found:

In the living spirit of Christ Jesus that has been given up, and given to, us all. So that we are in Him and He is in the Father. All are in one perfect and complete unity.

PRAYER

Lord, just as Christ asked you to love us even as you love him, knowing what would happen, let that same love and unity with you eclipse all pain, fear, and death. Just as Jesus saved us through his own death in a way that is truly eternal, Lord God, please let us know your love so complete and pure. Let us be in Christ, as Christ is in you. Let us feel the eternal union you set out from the very beginning. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vincent Jerrome