United by Christ’s Name and Glory

John 15-18 

“’…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.’…’I 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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’”

John 17:11, 22, 23

The prayer of Jesus is for the unity of his followers, around the world and in every age. Toward that end Jesus has given us his name and his glory. Satan opposes the unity of the church, so Jesus gave us his name to both resist Satan and to give us identity. We are “Christ-ones,” or “Christians.” When we live under the banner of Jesus Christ, rather than the banner of another leader (Menno, Luther, Calvin, etc.), we live into Christ’s prayer for our unity. Jesus also gave us his glory, or his very presence, to unite us as one. We grow in unity with Christ and other Christ-followers as we pursue our center, the presence of God. As we seek the Lord’s presence in corporate prayer and worship we experience unity and love with others in Christ’s church. Both Christ’s name and glory are uniting gifts we desperately need this day.

How can we use these gifts at new levels?

“Jesus, thank you for your name and your glory.”