Episode 906
Exploring Jesus's Vision of Unity: An In-Depth Analysis of John 17:20-26
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The exploration of unity and diversity within the context of Jesus's prayer in John 17:20-26 serves as the focal point of our dialogue. In this profound passage, Jesus articulates a vision for oneness among his followers, emphasizing the necessity for unity that transcends traditional divisions and promotes radical inclusivity. This prayer is not merely a petition for his immediate disciples but extends to all who believe because of their witness, effectively inviting believers into a communal relationship that mirrors the divine connection between the Father and the Son. The implications of such unity are significant; as we strive for oneness, we become a testament to the world of God's love and purpose, thereby fostering a transformative witness in an increasingly polarized society.
Our discussion delves into several key themes arising from this scriptural passage. Firstly, we highlight the concept of radical inclusivity, which calls for an embrace of diversity within the body of believers. This inclusivity is not about demanding uniformity in beliefs but rather about finding commonality grounded in divine love. In doing so, we recognize that our differences are not obstacles but opportunities for deeper connections and understanding. Furthermore, we explore the transformative power of our collective witness; as we unite across various backgrounds and perspectives, we embody a living proof of God's transformative presence in the world. This unity, rooted in love, becomes a compelling demonstration of God's reality to those who are yet to believe.
Finally, our conversation underscores the profound notion of divine indwelling as articulated in the passage. The intimacy of God's presence within us challenges us to acknowledge the divine spark in every individual we encounter. This recognition compels us to engage meaningfully with those whose beliefs may differ from our own, fostering dialogues that are rooted in understanding rather than debate. We conclude with a practical action step, encouraging listeners to reach out and connect with someone from a different perspective, engaging in conversations that reflect the love and grace exemplified by Jesus. This call to action embodies the spirit of the prayer for unity, urging us to be instruments of reconciliation in a world often marked by division.
Takeaways:
- The essence of Jesus's prayer in John 17 focuses on the profound unity among believers, emphasizing that this unity is not mere uniformity but a rich tapestry of diverse faith expressions connected through divine love.
- In a world marked by polarization, the unity of believers serves as a powerful testament to God's love, showcasing the transformative impact of authentic community across varying backgrounds and beliefs.
- The notion of divine indwelling suggests that the sacred presence resides within us, challenging us to recognize and honor the divine spark in every individual we encounter, irrespective of their differing perspectives.
- An actionable step encouraged in this episode is to engage with individuals whose beliefs diverge from our own, fostering understanding through conversation rather than debate, thereby embodying the love exemplified by Jesus.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining me.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A:We use the message version to make it understandable.
Speaker A:We give you three points to ponder to make it relatable, and we give you an action step to make it applicable to your life.
Speaker A:We use the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle in the Easter tide season.
Speaker A:We bring all this to you from our website voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of the ABC2,3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: e day from the Gospel of John: Speaker A:The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us.
Speaker A:Then the world might believe that you in fact sent me the same glory you gave me, I gave them.
Speaker A:So they'll be as unified and together as we are, I in them and you in me.
Speaker A:Then they'll be mature in this oneness and give the goodness and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.
Speaker A:Father.
Speaker A:I want those you gave me to be with me right where I am, so they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me, having loved me long before there was a world.
Speaker A:Righteous Father, the world has never known you, but I have known you and these disciples know that you sent me on this mission.
Speaker A:I have made your very being known to them who you are and what you do and continue to make it known so that your love for me might be in them exactly as I am in them.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:What a great passage of scripture for us to reflect upon a moment.
Speaker A:Here we're talking about Jesus Profound prayer for Unity and not just with his immediate disciples, but for all future believers.
Speaker A:So this let's unpack this beautiful message together.
Speaker A:Here's some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first one has to do with radical inclusivity.
Speaker A:Jesus prayer envisions a unity that transcends traditional boundaries.
Speaker A:This isn't about enforcing uniformity or demanding everybody believe exactly the same thing.
Speaker A:Rather, it's about finding common ground in divine love while celebrating our diverse expressions of faith.
Speaker A:Just as the Trinity represents unity in diversity, we are called to embrace our differences while remaining connected in love.
Speaker A:A second point is about a transformative witness.
Speaker A:Jesus suggests that our unity has the power to convince the world of God's love.
Speaker A:In our polarized world, imagine the powerful witness of people from different backgrounds, from perspectives and traditions, coming together in authentic community.
Speaker A:Our ability to love across differences becomes a living proof of God's transformative presence.
Speaker A:One more point to ponder.
Speaker A:It's about divine or Godlike indwelling.
Speaker A:The passage here speaks of God being quote in us, suggesting that the divine, the godlike presence isn't just above us somewhere, but within us.
Speaker A:And this intimate connection reminds us that we all carry a bit of the holy, the divine spark.
Speaker A:And it challenges us to recognize God's presence in everyone we meet, regardless of their beliefs or their backgrounds.
Speaker A:Here's your action step Reach out to someone whose religious or political views are different than yours.
Speaker A:Don't aim to debate or convince, but listen and understand.
Speaker A:Maybe you want to share a meal or a cup of coffee or practice some sort of a bridge, building conversation and love the way that Jesus modeled.
Speaker A:Ask about their story and what gives their life meaning.
Speaker A:We're going to come back for the closing prayer here in just a moment.
Speaker A:I just want to let you know that we've got a great resource just for you for your own daily Bible study.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's just a few pages of text which give you a practical guide for your daily Bible study reading, which you do in coordination with what you get here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:You pick that up.
Speaker A:It's free, totally free@voiceofgod daily.com now let's pray.
Speaker A:Loving God we live in a world that often emphasizes our differences and divisions.
Speaker A:Help us remember that your love is bigger than our disagreements, deeper than our debates, and stronger than our fears.
Speaker A:Give us courage to reach across divides, wisdom to listen more than we speak and and grace to see your presence in unexpected places.
Speaker A:Make us instruments of your unity in a fractured world and guide us to build bridges where others build walls and to love as expansively as you love us.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it's always a pleasure to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:It's part of the joy of my day.
Speaker A:I'm here with you every single day.
Speaker A:Again, usually drop these episodes before 6am Eastern Time.
Speaker A:You can pick up everything@voiceofgoddaily.com we have almost 900 episodes now, so please take advantage of that.
Speaker A:We'll see you again here tomorrow.
Speaker A:And help us reach our goal, getting the audible word of God into 2 million years.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:You do that when you join and subscribe and invite a friend.
Speaker A:Until tomorrow, friends.
Speaker A:This is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
