The high priestly prayer of Jesus marks the climax point of his farewell discourse in the Gospel of John (John 17). The prayer in John 17 is by far the longest prayer of Jesus in any other gospels. Jesus’ desire of the perfect unity of his followers (17. 11, 20-23) is expressed in this prayer. Particularly, from verses 20-23, Jesus stressesthe Christian unitythree times.Verse 21 says, “That they may all be one.” This passage is the most often quoted basis for expressing ecumenism in the history of the Church. Ecumenism is one of the most impressive movements of the world in the history of Christianity. What is truly meant by ecumenismaccording to Jesus? Howare our churchesfulfilling the desire of Jesus Christ today? To answer all these, we are going to meditate on the theme “A NEW PARADIGM OF ECUMENISM.”
The term ecumenism is derived from the Greek word oikoumenewhich means “the whole inhabited world.” It is used to refer to the whole body of Churches. Today many movements come up for bringing ecumenical unity. Are they unitedbased on the teaching ofJesus Christ or are only through outward appearances? It is sad that most of the Christian doctrines are compromised for the synthetic unity. Some of the modern movements are trying to please people instead of God. Therefore, there is a need of re-thinking a new paradigm of Ecumenism based on the teaching of Christ. What did Jesus’ prayer teach about ecumenical unity in this passage? What is the biblical understanding of ecumenism? It is worth looking at the prayer a little more closely to understand the deeper meaning of ecumenism envisioned by Jesus Christ. For our clear understanding let me share three things that helps achieve ecumenism preferred by Jesus Christ.
Firstly,ECUMENISM: A UNITY INFAITH
In John 17.20, Jesus states that “I pray for those who believe in me through (their) his disciples’ word.” It indicates that Jesus prayed for the believers and for their unity in one faith. The word of the disciples expresses the teaching of Jesus Christ that is one truth (Matt 28.20).Jesus prayed not only for structural unity, but for the unity of faith and the one confession of faith. As we read in Ephesians 4.5, Apostle Paul clearly affirms that there is one Lord and one faith. It is noted that there is one faith and one truth. This unity has its true and only ground in the faith in Christ through the word of God.
In our context, there are varieties of opinions in the doctrines of the churches. The world has no unity; it divides into many functions and hasinnumerable beliefs. There is not much unity among all denominations with their multiplicity of beliefs and heresies. It is noted that genuine unity cannot gloss over doctrine. Unity is not uniformity. It is time to re-think about our own churches. In Ephesians 4. 12 -13 Apostle Paul states that “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the Church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of the Son of God…” I hope that one day the Word of God will be fulfilled and that we all would be united in one faith.Let us be open minded to listen and to obey the word of God irrespective of the traditions different and cultures.
Secondly,ECUMENISM: A UNITY IN GLORY
In Verse 21, Jesus prayed that “… Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us…” And verse 22 describes that the same glory God gave to Jesus, he gave to the believers, so that they could be unified as one, just as Jesus and his father. The purpose behind Jesus giving his followers glory is to make unity among the believers similarly to the unity of the Father and the Son. What is meant by glory here?In the Gospel of John, the glory of God is understood as the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which enabled those who believe him to become the children of God. In John 1.14 -16, John brought the idea that he saw the glory of Christ, the glory as of the father’s only son, full of grace and truth. The epitome of his glory was displayed on the cross (John 12.28; 13.31-32). We can understand that this glory points to Christ’s indwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the glory in John 17.22 is the manifestation of the Lord upon his people by the uniting power of the Holy Spirit.
Genuine unity is grounded in one God. The oneness of God is the cornerstone of oneness among the believers. There can be no unity among believers without God initiating it. Christians share in the supernatural unity, a unity with the Father and the Son. It is a participation in the revealed glory of Christ.Let us look at our context today.Can we see the glory of Christ in the ecumenical movements? Are we speaking about the hypocritical ecumenical thoughts? Or, Do we really share in the Divine nature as the Children of God? In Ephesians 4.3, Apostle Paul says that “we are to be diligent to preserve the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.” As followers of Christ, and being the children of God, it is our serious responsibility to maintain the “unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”Let us affirm that our Christian unity must be based on our common glory in Christ and by the unifying guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, ECUMENISM: A UNITY IN LOVE
In John 17. 23, Jesus witnessed oneness and unity with his father and prayed for the believers to be one with him and with each other. The best picture we have of the Father’s love for us is when he sent his only Son Jesus to die on the cross for us. Jesus Christ is the mediating link between his believers and his Father. Jesus prayed here for a mature and complete oneness. The phrase ‘perfect in one’ indicates the ‘stage of maturity.’ Believers ought to reach a more mature unity. This unity is impossible without love. Here, agape love is the essence of unity and oneness envisaged by Jesus Christ.The purpose of Christian unity is to glorify God and to be witnesses in this world.
Let us look at our context, we all want to be called Christians. But within us, there are lot of conflicts such as partiality, caste system, gender inequality and social status. There are undoubtedly much caste discriminations within some mainline churches in India.As we know culture and caste prejudice is sin; so we should try to avoid it first in the church. In Galatians 3.28, St. Paul affirms that “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”To fulfil this, we believers must learn how to love, trust and respect all members of the church regardless of their culture, race or nationality.
On this special occasion of the CSI Platinum Jubilee, I would like to invite you all to be united in one God, one Lord, one Spirit and one faith. Unity envisioned by Jesus Christ should not be misunderstood and misinterpreted as uniformity. Our Lord Jesus did not pray only for institutional oneness, but a unity in faith, a unity in glory and unity in love. This is not organizational unity but organic unity, a unity in life that comes from God. Christian unity is not only organization or external, but rather based on our shared life in Jesus Christ.Let us examine ourselves. Are our churches really glorifying God by fulfilling the desire of Jesus Christ? Are the ecumenical movements continually fulfilling their earlier visions? Or, Are they corrupted in the doctrine of ecumenism by their outward movements? Are we ready to fulfill the true desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ? Every true Christian belongs to the body of Christ. Therefore, let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind. May the good Lord continue to be with us and keep us in the united body of Christ. Amen.
Preached on the CSI Day
@ Sermapore College
Acknowledgement
Meyego
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