Do you ever think about the last words you’ll ever say?
I think about it, every once in a while. I think about who I’d be with if I knew time was short. I think about what I’d say – what I’d want them to know.
If you knew time was short, you’d focus on what mattered most, right?
Well, that’s what Jesus did.
He knew He was going to die. He came to die.
So, He spent His last night with those closest to Him. Wouldn’t you love to know what He said?
Fortunately, John, one of only twelve who were present, recorded it for us. He preserved the last prayer Jesus prayed with and for His followers.
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one…
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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. have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:11, 20-23, NIV)
Jesus used His last night to talk about unity.
That may be more significant – and more relevant – than we realize.
See, Israel was under Roman occupation. They weren’t a free people. Matthew – one of Jesus’ followers – was a tax collector for Rome. He was literally employed by their oppressors. Simon – another of Jesus’ followers – was a member of a group that resisted Rome. He literally killed their oppressors.
And Jesus says to them, “I want you to be one. I want you to be united. Yes, you disagree on the best political course but because you follow Me, you’re a part of something much, much bigger than your current government. You are citizens of a different Kingdom. And that is what unites you.”
Friends, I don’t know where you stand politically. Unless you happen to be particularly close to me, you don’t know where I stand.
But if you follow Jesus, you and I are a part of the same Kingdom.
We may vote differently tomorrow.
But let’s be one.
Let’s be united in our love for one another.
Let’s not tear one another down – in person or on social media. Let’s not make snap judgments about anyone’s character based on how they decided to vote. Let’s stop setting up caricatures and start seeing individuals. Let’s have conversations – loving and gracious conversations – about our differences.
But let’s be one.
And, whoever wins, let’s commit to praying for our president.
Let’s commit to praying for wisdom and discernment.
Let’s commit to praying for compassion and grace.
Let’s commit to praying for decisiveness and strength.
Comments