“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).
Our study hymn these past few days has exalted Jesus Christ as “The Church’s One Foundation.” Verse one explained how the foundations were laid in His blood, verse two with our privileged position. Verse three spoke of opposition from within and verse four of opposition without. Verse five assures us that in spite of all the difficulties, the church can maintain an intimate walk with her Savior.
Yet she on Earth hath union, With God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion, With those whose rest is won. Oh, happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, Like them the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with thee.
Nowhere is our fellowship with the Father and Son more clearly stated than in Christ’s High Priestly prayer for His followers shortly before His betrayal and crucifixion. “Now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. . . . Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:11,20).
Soon Jesus would pray “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36), an intimate term of deep affection. Now “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). We are privileged to enter into this sweet communion with Father and Son.
The beloved disciple, John, who enjoyed a special measure of Christ’s love, wrote of these things to the church, “that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (I John 1:3,4). JDM
