JESUS’ PRAYER FOR US

BY DN HO QIHENG

It is normal for a human to have one head and one body - any other number would be a distortion or mutation of what is supposed to be. So too, with the Church: Christ is our one Head, and we are his body - a proper reflection of Christ as Head requires the Church to display oneness in the body. This is something that Jesus prayed for all believers:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” - John 17:20-23 (ESV)

In the past year, I have been in seminary alongside Christians from different churches, denominations and worship styles, of different ages, nationalities, personalities, likes and dislikes. There have been challenges arising from some of these differences. But recognising that each one of our fellow classmates is a fellow believer in the body of Christ is the starting point for us to learn to show grace and encouragement to one another, to forgive, to be humble to receive correction, and remain respectful of one another’s views even when we may still disagree in the end.

Jesus prayed for us to be perfectly one, just as God the Father and the Son are one. Isn’t it astounding to think that the Church can be Jesus’ answered prayer? Yet such perfect oneness is also impossible apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, and rightly so - our unity is not meant to show our human ability, but the transforming power, love and reality of God.

Let us reflect: Have we been contented to live an “individual Christianity”? Do we shy away from other Christians in GPC, at work or school, because they are different from us in various ways? Do we seek to meet the practical needs of fellow brothers and sisters? Do we pray for fellow Christians who live in persecuted regions? Our Lord’s desire is our perfect unity. Let us be devoted to Christ and one another, prayerfully committing ourselves to build one another up in the unity of the body, so that Christ is recognized as the Head of the Church, and as Lord and Saviour of the world!

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” - COLOSSIANS 3:14-15