S. O. A. P.

John 17:21a

That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

O-bservation:

This seventeenth chapter of John has often been referred to as the priestly prayer of Jesus. It was a prayer to His Father. His desire at the end of His earthly ministry was that they (speaking of His followers) would be united as One.

A-pplication:

There’s little doubt that Jesus was looking into the future when He prayed this prayer. He knew that the longer history played out, the more disagreements or “SCHISMS” there would be. These SCHISMS would have to do with people’s interpretations of Jesus’ claims and His “Follower’s” differing doctrinal persuasions. Sure enough, more than two thousand years removed from this prayer, SCHISMS within the body of Christ continue to be the leading cause of the world’s rejection of Jesus. All people have to do is take one look at the disagreements among Christians to say, “Hey, if they can’t get their stuff together, why should I join a group that is ravaged by SCHISMS?” To all you dear friends who read my AM S.O.A.P.s, pray with me for an end to the SCHISMS.

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

As I read Your words, “Father that they may be ONE,” I can hear the longing in Your heart for a United Church. Today I’m praying to that end, and as You lead me I will work to see it come to pass. Amen