In John 17, John records a lengthy prayer by Jesus. It’s a prayer that he said shortly before he was arrested. Jesus prayed for unity, both for his disciples and for the world. When his prayer shifted to the world, it was for a very specific purpose: “I do not ask for those 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” (John 17: 20-21).
This powerful prayer reminds us that we are all in this world together–both believers and unbelievers. Without us teaching people the good news, they don’t stand much of a chance of ever knowing God or the saving power of grace through the blood of Christ. Jesus didn’t die for us. He died for everyone. And he longs for us to all meet together. This is evident when Jesus said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (vs. 24).
It’s not only our duty to bring people together through Christ, but it’s also our honor! Jesus ended his prayer by saying, “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (vs. 26). We all owe it to our neighbors to bring the good news of Jesus to them!