Family Unity
There is something on Jesus' mind. There is a desire in His heart. It has been there since the beginning, before the first mountain was raised up, or light pierced the darkness. He prayed for it in the presence of His disciples. This was Jesus' prayer. This is what God prayed for:
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
From the beginning of time God has desired a royal family, united in love. The Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus enjoy such perfect agreement, love, and fellowship that they are One. Jesus' prayer in John 17 is that we would be a part of that unity. United to God and each other.
Each heart created by God is unique. Fashioned for a purpose and a plan. Each heart offers its own sound and incense to Jesus. Jesus loves each individual perfectly. The sound of each heart in agreement with Him is beautiful, like a violin well played, or the enchanting sound of the chime. God enjoys the individual response of each heart, but Jesus also prayed for the orchestra to assemble. God, the ultimate conductor, wants the fullness of the united sound.
Each section of the orchestra is unique. Each instrument is played in a unique way. Not all of the players use the same technique. Some pluck the strings, while others use a bow. The point isn't how each one follows the conductor, the point is that each has a heart of loyalty to where the conductor is leading them. They are on the same journey, each with their own unique and important part to play.
This is Jesus' design for His bride. We see the differences and are easily offended, while Jesus sees the loyal hearts running hard after Him and He sees what is possible if they would settle their hearts to agree with what He prayed for. Jesus sees every necessary piece for His desire to take shape.
Jesus has waited patiently for so long to see someone, anyone, start caring about what He prayed for...to agree with Him intently and intentionally in His prayer. To pray as hard for this unity in His Bride as we do for the resources to make it to the end of the month, or for our child to be well when he or she is sick.
Can you imagine a conductor with the ultimate score in his hand getting his players ready for a performance? I imagine him getting the players ready back stage. The violinists arguing about the technique of the cellist, the timpani telling the xylophone how wrong it is for the flutes to blow instead of strike! All the while, this perfect conductor, because of love, doesn't yell or scream. Because he only wants players with hearts that have freely chosen to be loyal to him, as committed to the beauty of the music as he is, he doesn't force anyone to take their place. He lets his desire be known, and then patiently waits...for love...for loyalty.
I want to take my place, to sit in my chair, instrument in hand, gazed fixed on my conductor, with my desire in agreement with His. I want to pray the same prayer He is praying. As others see some taking up their chairs, gaze fixed on the conductor, will they settle down and take their place as well? We all have a heart to play the music...it is why we are all here in the first place! As more and more take their place, instrument in hand, eyes and ears fixed on the conductor, with hearts loyal to Him and in agreement with His desire, we will see the bride begin to make herself ready.
Jesus said:
John 16:23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
How many times have I asked the Father for what Jesus asked for? Not enough! I want to set my heart to agree with Jesus. Rather than use my mouth to complain about what I see the person in the next aisle at church doing, or the group down the road doing, I want to use my mouth to request unity from the Father in agreement with Jesus' prayer in John 17. This is so simple anyone can do it, it just requires a vision and a heart that desires to agree with Jesus!
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
From the beginning of time God has desired a royal family, united in love. The Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus enjoy such perfect agreement, love, and fellowship that they are One. Jesus' prayer in John 17 is that we would be a part of that unity. United to God and each other.
Each heart created by God is unique. Fashioned for a purpose and a plan. Each heart offers its own sound and incense to Jesus. Jesus loves each individual perfectly. The sound of each heart in agreement with Him is beautiful, like a violin well played, or the enchanting sound of the chime. God enjoys the individual response of each heart, but Jesus also prayed for the orchestra to assemble. God, the ultimate conductor, wants the fullness of the united sound.
Each section of the orchestra is unique. Each instrument is played in a unique way. Not all of the players use the same technique. Some pluck the strings, while others use a bow. The point isn't how each one follows the conductor, the point is that each has a heart of loyalty to where the conductor is leading them. They are on the same journey, each with their own unique and important part to play.
This is Jesus' design for His bride. We see the differences and are easily offended, while Jesus sees the loyal hearts running hard after Him and He sees what is possible if they would settle their hearts to agree with what He prayed for. Jesus sees every necessary piece for His desire to take shape.
Jesus has waited patiently for so long to see someone, anyone, start caring about what He prayed for...to agree with Him intently and intentionally in His prayer. To pray as hard for this unity in His Bride as we do for the resources to make it to the end of the month, or for our child to be well when he or she is sick.
Can you imagine a conductor with the ultimate score in his hand getting his players ready for a performance? I imagine him getting the players ready back stage. The violinists arguing about the technique of the cellist, the timpani telling the xylophone how wrong it is for the flutes to blow instead of strike! All the while, this perfect conductor, because of love, doesn't yell or scream. Because he only wants players with hearts that have freely chosen to be loyal to him, as committed to the beauty of the music as he is, he doesn't force anyone to take their place. He lets his desire be known, and then patiently waits...for love...for loyalty.
I want to take my place, to sit in my chair, instrument in hand, gazed fixed on my conductor, with my desire in agreement with His. I want to pray the same prayer He is praying. As others see some taking up their chairs, gaze fixed on the conductor, will they settle down and take their place as well? We all have a heart to play the music...it is why we are all here in the first place! As more and more take their place, instrument in hand, eyes and ears fixed on the conductor, with hearts loyal to Him and in agreement with His desire, we will see the bride begin to make herself ready.
Jesus said:
John 16:23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
How many times have I asked the Father for what Jesus asked for? Not enough! I want to set my heart to agree with Jesus. Rather than use my mouth to complain about what I see the person in the next aisle at church doing, or the group down the road doing, I want to use my mouth to request unity from the Father in agreement with Jesus' prayer in John 17. This is so simple anyone can do it, it just requires a vision and a heart that desires to agree with Jesus!
Comments
Post a Comment
I appreciate your comments.