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. (ESV)

That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (NIV)

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (NLT)

Dive Deeper:

What would it look like in a world of division, polar opposites, and warring ideologies if there was a group of people from every nation, tongue, and tribe that laid aside their differences and came together in unity? That sought to place their neighbor's needs, wants, and desires above theirs? That cared for the least of the group? The world would take notice. The group would stick out like a sore thumb. Or maybe a better way to put it is they would stick out like a healed thumb on a sore hand. Our world is broken, looking in all the wrong places for belonging. This season can be a difficult time for many people. Christmas may not always come with warm fuzzies for everyone. For some, it is marked by broken relationships, absent members, or expected fights over this and that when family gets together. For those that this is true, there is hope. Christ was sent into this world 2,000 years ago to deal with the sin that hinders deep and impactful relationships. 

God’s creation of humanity was made in His image, but it was designed to flourish in a relationship of unity modeled after His own relationship within the Trinity. Because of sin, our relationship with one another has been fractured. Where partnership once took place, competition has replaced it and mutual sharing has been overtaken by selfishness. It is fitting that sacrifice is what was required to mend this fallen relationship between mankind. The state of the world is to look out for you and yours. But Christ came into this world to show that it is better to serve than to be served. It is better to lay down your life for your brother and sisters. This is true in our relationship with our Creator and fellow man. By becoming secondary, we can become one. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, reconciling us with God and doing away with the curse of sin. So now, living in that reality, let us follow after Christ, carrying our cross, sacrificing our wants and our desires to shoulder the burdens and needs of our brothers and sisters. 

When we live in unity in this way, we are evidence to the world around us about who Jesus is. We reveal His nature, the truth about who He says He is, and we shed light on the One who sent Him. In this Christmas season, where there is division in even our own families, let us be the first movers towards unity. It may be easier said than done, but thankfully, as this week’s verse alludes to, we don’t do it alone! We don’t even just do it together as the body of Christ. We live in unity, becoming one with our brothers and sisters by the power of the One who is living inside of us. 

Written by Keaton Hewitt