MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY

John 1:1-21:25

Key Verse 17:23 

“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Intro

In studying a book of the Bible it is always a good idea to consider the main theme of the book. The question then becomes, "What is the theme of John's gospel?" Or "Where can we find the theme of the book of John?"

We can find the answer in Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17, where Jesus revealed the purpose for which he had been working. Let us read John 17:13-26. In this passage two words stand out: "complete unity". We can consider this theme title in five points:

1) Motive (Why did Jesus pray for unity?) 

2) Model (What is the model to build this unity?)

3) Means (How did Jesus build the model?)

4) Motto (What is the spirit behind the model?)

5) Mission (What is left for us to do?)

First, the motive.

John 6:40 states, "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." [Read John 3:16; 20:30-31.] Throughout the book of John the expression "eternal life" is repeated 16 times. Of the 16, Jesus used it 14 times, Peter one time, and John one time. Examination of each usage points to Jesus’ motive to build a unity to impart to his children eternal life. This observation indicates that eternal life can be found only in the context of unity in the Lord. 

Second, the model.

What then is the model for this unity? We find the answer in John 14:20, "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." The same expression is repeated in John 17:21 and 23. So the model for this unity is, "I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you." All three (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and his disciples called the Bride) fellowship together in perfect harmony. The three persons dwell in perfect harmony. The three are united, forming one, so that the three, although plural in number, can be counted as one, a single entity. The three are so united that they are no longer three but one. 

This model has a foundation, that is, Jesus and the Father being one, for in John 10:30 Jesus says, "I and the Father are one." Jesus became flesh. He came to be incarnated. Yet, essentially he and the Father are one. Jesus became fully man still being fully God, and in that state Jesus and the Father are one. 

The Study Bible (NIV) divides John's gospel into seven parts: the prologue (1:1-1:18); the beginning of Jesus' ministry (1:19-51); Jesus' public ministry (Chs. 2-11); the passion week (chs. 12-19); the resurrection (20:1-29); the statement of purpose (20:30,31); and the epilogue (Ch 21). 

The people and events in the divisions testify that what Jesus said in John 10:30 is true: "I and the Father are one." 

The prologue is there to speak of his person as God.

His public ministry (signs and discourses) demonstrates that the power and glory shown in Jesus’ healing, preaching, and teaching ministry are attributable to God and Jesus working together in perfect harmony. 

Recordings during the passion week show that Jesus suffered so much just as God himself suffered for the dying souls.

His resurrection proves his divinity, for as Psalm 36:8-9 and 16:11 state, “with God is the fountain of life”.  

Characteristically, the essence of the unity between Jesus the Son and God the Father is spiritual, for in speaking to a Samaritan woman Jesus said, "God is spirit." This indicates that the agent that makes the three to become one is God's Spirit. Practically, it is hard to imagine for a man of flesh to become one with God.  But since it is God’s Spirit, the unity between God and man is possible, for we trust that speaking of the same truth Jesus says in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life, flesh counts for nothing". Similarly, the Apostle Paul said, "I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." (1Co 15:50) 

This observation brings within the range of possibility (and availability) Jesus' daring prayer topic, that is, "My prayer is that...they may be one as we are one: I in them, you in me. May they be brought to complete unity." (John 17:15-23).  

Third, the means.

Practically then how does Jesus build a spiritual man out of a fleshly man? John's gospel presents   such examples as Jesus helping Nicodemus to be born again, or Jesus offering the Samaritan woman the Living Water, that is, himself, or Jesus speaking to the crowds of people, saying, "I am the bread of life". 

Nicodemus was a fleshly man. So Jesus taught him the way of salvation via Moses lifting up the bronze snake so by faith in the Son he can walk out of darkness into the light; through a personal bible study Jesus gave him a new birth. Through Jesus’ shepherding, Nicodemus opened his eyes to see and enter the kingdom of God. 

The Samaritan woman was very worldly. Yet Jesus helped her repent of her desires for a husband and thereby introduced himself as the King of the Spirit, the true husband. Through a personal Bible study in the heat of the day, Jesus opened her eyes to see the way of salvation. 

In the case of the crowds of people following Jesus for more bread, after filling their stomach Jesus taught them that he is the bread from above, so by eating (the son called bread) and drinking the blood of the son, they could be united with the Son and through him with the Father. In this episode Jesus taught them the way of eternal life through him. 

Due to sin no sinner can come to the Father, much less be united with Him. So he had to shed his blood. He had to offer himself as an atoning sacrifice. John devotes 8 chapters (Chs 12-19) to describe Jesus' sufferings on the cross. Through his self-sacrifice Jesus removed the barrier of sin. Through his sufferings he opened the way for fallen man to come to God. Thanks and praise be to Jesus who came to build the broken relationship between God and sinners.

Fourth, the motto.

What then is the Apostle John’s motto? What is the spirit running through the gospel? John 3:16 answers the question: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It has been said, "His banner over us is love". There is the spirit of love running through the gospel, the love that is totally sacrificial.  Speaking of this love, John says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Now, love desires union, just as a husband and wife become one flesh through marriage. No wonder that the first miracle found in John’s gospel is Jesus turning wash water into choice wine at the wedding of Cana. Thanks and praise be to God who sent Jesus so that in Jesus we can come to the Father becoming one even as Jesus is one with the Father.

Fifth, the mission.

The mission for us to serve is two-fold: our relationship with the Lord, and our relationship with those who are yet to be saved.  

Speaking of our relationship with the Lord, Jesus repeatedly pleaded with his disciples saying, "remain in me", "remain in my words", "remain in my love", "I am the vine you are the branches", and "follow me". 

In regard to Jesus’ prayer for the world, Jesus commanded the Apostle Peter: "feed my lambs" and "take care of my sheep". 

Describing our mission in the Lord, John 21:15 reads, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ ” 

The Risen Jesus urged Peter the top apostle to feed his flock because Jesus knew that all souls are thirsty for Him. God created man in his image. So everyone with God's image desires to come to know and worship Him. Another name for this desire is 'thirst'.  In his Bible study with the Samaritan woman, knowing her spiritual thirst, Jesus offered her living "water" (John 4:10). When he visited Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus said to the crowds of people, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." Interestingly, the Bible ends with the call for the thirsty to come saying, “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” As we embark on studying the book of John in the year 2011, let us pray to invite thirsty souls to Jesus the source of the Living Water.

One word: Complete unity

---