Unity and Diversity Jesus's Prayer for Oneness A Study of John 17:20 26 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller hello good people.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Thank you for joining me.

In my quest to get the audible word of God into 2 million years a million people by 2028, we do so by a daily reading of the New Testament.

We use the message version to make it understandable.

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.

We use the Revised Common Lectionary.

We're in year C of a three year cycle in the Easter tide season.

We bring all this to you from our website voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of the ABC2,3 Bible Study Method.

Let's get into our reading for the day from the Gospel of John 17:20 26 Reading from the Message I'm praying not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of them and their witness about me.

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.

Then the world might believe that you in fact sent me the same glory you gave me, I gave them.

So they'll be as unified and together as we are, I in them and you in me.

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.

Father.

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.

Righteous Father, the world has never known you, but I have known you and these disciples know that you sent me on this mission.

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.

Wow.

What a great passage of scripture for us to reflect upon a moment.

Here we're talking about Jesus Profound prayer for Unity and not just with his immediate disciples, but for all future believers.

So this let's unpack this beautiful message together.

Here's some points to ponder.

The first one has to do with radical inclusivity.

Jesus prayer envisions a unity that transcends traditional boundaries.

This isn't about enforcing uniformity or demanding everybody believe exactly the same thing.

Rather, it's about finding common ground in divine love while celebrating our diverse expressions of faith.

Just as the Trinity represents unity in diversity, we are called to embrace our differences while remaining connected in love.

A second point is about a transformative witness.

Jesus suggests that our unity has the power to convince the world of God's love.

In our polarized world, imagine the powerful witness of people from different backgrounds, from perspectives and traditions, coming together in authentic community.

Our ability to love across differences becomes a living proof of God's transformative presence.

One more point to ponder.

It's about divine or Godlike indwelling.

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.

And this intimate connection reminds us that we all carry a bit of the holy, the divine spark.

And it challenges us to recognize God's presence in everyone we meet, regardless of their beliefs or their backgrounds.

Here's your action step Reach out to someone whose religious or political views are different than yours.

Don't aim to debate or convince, but listen and understand.

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.

Ask about their story and what gives their life meaning.

We're going to come back for the closing prayer here in just a moment.

I just want to let you know that we've got a great resource just for you for your own daily Bible study.

It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.

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.

You pick that up.

It's free, totally free@voiceofgod daily.com now let's pray.

Loving God we live in a world that often emphasizes our differences and divisions.

Help us remember that your love is bigger than our disagreements, deeper than our debates, and stronger than our fears.

Give us courage to reach across divides, wisdom to listen more than we speak and and grace to see your presence in unexpected places.

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.

Amen.

Well, it's always a pleasure to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.

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We'll see you again here tomorrow.

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Until tomorrow, friends.

This is Dr.

Brad Miller reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.