Jesus prayed for unity among those who believed in him. You know what unity means. It’s people holding together, supporting one another, lifting one another up, encouraging one another, speaking well of one another and simply doing the things you do between one another that make your relationships closer, stronger and more meaningful.

Solomon said that anyone who spreads strife among brothers is one whom God hates (see Proverbs 6:16-19). That’s strong language, but for good reason. It seems if God hates those who spread strife, he would then love those who “spread” unity.

Jesus not only prayed for unity, but he reconciled all of us believers to one another and to God through his blood (that’s from the letter to the Ephesians 2:13-16). Who would dare say or do anything to disrupt that unity when he gave his life for it?

Jesus also prayed to his father saying that the world would know that God sent him when they see the unity of those who believe in him (John 17:20-23).

“I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.” (emphasis mine)

Our unity, our love for one another expressed in various ways and situations is according to Jesus as great a testament to his resurrection as anything else.

How then am I building up the Lord’s church in the eyes and ears of those around me? What am I saying and doing that proves not only my love for Christ, but my love and appreciation for others who call on his name? Opportunities abound!