“That They May Be One, As We Are One”

John 17 records the longest prayer of Jesus found in Scripture, often referred to as His “high priestly prayer.”

This prayer, offered just before His arrest and crucifixion, is deeply personal and significant. In this moment, Jesus intercedes for Himself, His disciples, and for all future believers, revealing His profound desires for unity, protection, and the fulfillment of God's mission.

It beautifully reflects the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son and offers a blueprint for how that relationship should extend to His followers.

The Context: A Final Farewell

Before this prayer, Jesus had imparted critical teachings to His disciples. He washed their feet, modeling humility and love, and gave them the "new commandment" to love one another (John 13:34).

He reassured them of His identity as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), promised the Holy Spirit, and prepared them for the trials they would face. In this atmosphere of urgency and deep affection, Jesus turns His eyes to heaven and prays.

Jesus Prays for Himself

In the first section of the prayer, Jesus petitions the Father for Himself: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1).

Here, Jesus acknowledges that His impending crucifixion is the climax of His earthly mission. Through His death, sin and death will be conquered, and God’s authority over all creation will be reaffirmed.

Jesus also defines eternal life not merely as an endless existence but as a deep, personal relationship with God: “to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life is not something that begins after death but is a present reality, characterized by love, trust, and communion with God.

This is a life of peace amid chaos, and it is accessible to all believers now, reaching its fulfillment in eternity, as described in Revelation 21:3-5, where God dwells among His people and all suffering ceases.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Jesus then shifts His focus to His disciples, acknowledging their faith and praying for their protection. “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:11). His prayer is not for the world at large—defined here as the fallen systems opposed to God's will—but specifically for those who have accepted His word.

Rather than asking for His disciples to be removed from the world, Jesus asks for their protection from “the evil one” (John 17:15). This highlights a critical aspect of discipleship: believers are called to remain in the world but not of it, distinct from its corrupt ways, and sanctified by the truth of God's word.

While they will face opposition and persecution, their mission remains vital—just as Jesus was sent by the Father, they too are sent to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).

This prayer has been fulfilled as the disciples carried out their mission despite immense challenges. Their faithfulness laid the foundation for the global Church, with over 2.2 billion Christians today.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

Finally, Jesus prays for all who will believe in Him through the disciples’ message—this includes us. His deepest desire is for unity: “that they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Jesus prays for a unity that mirrors the oneness He shares with the Father, a unity that is rooted in love and purpose.

This unity, however, does not require uniformity. It’s not about agreement on every doctrinal point but about a shared commitment to love God, follow Christ, and serve one another.

When Christians come together in love and service—particularly to the poor and marginalized—they manifest this unity. Jesus is glorified when His followers are united, not only in belief but in action.

The Challenge of Unity in a Divided World

Jesus’ prayer for unity is as relevant today as ever. Sadly, divisions persist within the global Church and society. In nations like the Philippines, where the vast majority claim faith in God, societal systems are often rife with corruption and inequality. Despite the country's religious identity, political and economic power remains concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the poor and marginalized without justice.

We live in what C.S. Lewis called “enemy-occupied territory.” The world’s systems, driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power, resist the lordship of Christ. Yet, Jesus did not pray for these systems to vanish but for His followers to be protected as they engage the world. As Christians, we are called to challenge the evils of our time—whether they manifest in corruption, oppression, or injustice—and proclaim Christ’s kingdom, where righteousness reigns.

Opposition and trials will come, as Jesus warned. But through this resistance, our faith is strengthened, and we learn to rely more deeply on God's grace. Spiritual resilience is required, for believers must stand firm in their faith even amidst the pressures of a broken world.

Conclusion: The Call to Be One

Jesus’ prayer for unity challenges us to look beyond our differences and focus on our common mission: to love God, serve others, and proclaim the Gospel. We are called to be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one, bound together in love. This spiritual unity, lived out in action, is what will ultimately draw the world to Christ.

As we reflect on Jesus' prayer in John 17, may we strive for greater unity within the Body of Christ. This unity is not simply an ideal; it is a powerful witness to the world that Jesus is the Messiah, sent by God to redeem and restore all things.

Let us echo Jesus’ prayer in our own lives: that we may all be one, as He and the Father are one.

*Caloy Diño is an Evangelical minister who serves as Program Director for Bawat Isa Mahalaga, a Christian movement for citizen engagement and godly governance founded by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno.