In this matchless prayer, the Lord Jesus expressed His special desire for His disciples and for those who through their word would believe in Him, asking “that they may be.” These few words are just one word in the Greek, which occurs seven times in John’s Gospel, and only in this prayer! “That they may be one”; “that they may be sanctified”; “that they may be made perfect in one”; and “that they may be with Me where I am.” Christ’s desires challenge us to be always available to Him.

1. “Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (Jn. 17:11): unity in essence.

2. “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (v. 19). Christ in heaven is wholly committed to care for His people; that they may be wholly set apart for Him through the truth, not by human methods: unity in holiness.

3. Christ continues His prayer for His disciples and for us today, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” (v. 21): unity in reflection.

4. “That they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (v. 21): unity in testimony.

5. “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (v. 22): unity in display.

6. “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” (v. 23): unity in perfection.

7. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (v. 24): unity in abiding love.

Amen, Lord Jesus come!