“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they might be one, as we are one.” John 17:11
John’s narrative of the last night that Jesus spent with his disciples pictures them as confused, unable to grasp the significance of what is happening, uncertain of the future. Appropriately once Jesus has finished speaking to them, he looks to heaven and prays for them (v1). I wonder if this is also Jesus’ prayer for us at this time?
I know that many would echo Jesus’ final petition; that his followers may be one (v11). We long for the time when we can gather together again as one; singing with one voice, breaking and sharing one bread, together in one place. But whilst I share that longing, I’m also left wondering what Jesus had in mind as he prays that they would be one. It can’t simply have been about being together – Thursday was Ascension Day, when we remember and celebrate Jesus’ ascension to heaven, when we may of read Jesus’ final words to his disciples about receiving the power of the Holy Spirit and being witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) – clearly Jesus didn’t think the disciples were always going to be together in one place!
Jesus’ prayer is that they be one as Jesus and the Father are one (v11). This is about relationship. Though in some ways very separated (see Philippians 2:5-8), Jesus and the Father remain intimately related. They share a unity of purpose (v 4, 7 & 8). If this is what Jesus is praying for his disciples, then surely it is a prayer for now. Even whilst we are alone, we can know that the Christian community is with us, and many of you have told me of the encouragement you have experienced by knowing that others are praying with you (e.g. at the same time on a Sunday) and for you. Although it might not feel the same as being gathered together in one place, we remain intimately related; we continue to be one.
If it’s a prayer for now, is it also a prayer for moving forwards? In our reflections, Chris and I have begun to share our sense that the Church, and the churches in the Circuit, are unlikely to be the same as we return to gathering together as lockdown eases. Does Jesus’ prayer help us to begin to discern where God is leading the Church? What might the prayer to be one mean for us? If it’s about being intimately related and sharing unity of purpose, is that an encouragement to work, and remain in fellowship, with those with whom we may disagree? Might it be a prayer for greater ecumenical collaboration? For example when our churches are able to open, either for private prayer or worship, should we join with other denominations rather than have many buildings open in one place? Is it about Christian presence and discipleship rather than particular buildings, fellowships or ways of doing things?
As I begin to reflect in this way on Jesus’ prayer, I also begin to wonder about the phrase that comes before the petition to be one; “protect them in your name”. We’ve heard the word protect, or derivatives or it, much over the last few weeks. The problem of supply and distribution of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and the shameful lack of planning in this regard, has highlighted one way of understanding ‘protect’. PPE helps to protect our doctors, nurses, careworkers and many more, from catching Covid-19. It seeks to prevent harm. To keep people safe. And of course this is entirely right and proper, and we owe much to those who have been willing to risk or give their lives by working without such protection.
In complying with lockdown and acting responsibly with the guidelines we have also been encouraged to “protect the NHS”. Here the emphasis has not been on avoiding harm but ensuring that our hospitals are not overwhelmed, that the health service would be able to continue to function, to still be able to provide care to those who need it. Given that Jesus has already suggested harm will come to those who follow him (John 15:20), it seems to me that Jesus’ prayer to protect his disciples is better understood in this second sense. That whatever happens, the community of followers will continue, so that God will be glorified through them (v10).
Many of us know, and have experienced this sense of God’s protection in our own lives. We know that we have not avoided harm. We have experienced illness, disappointment, tragedy. But we have also experienced God’s sustaining presence. To understand Jesus’ prayer for protection in this way means that as churches we should not expect to avoid harm. This pandemic will raise difficult questions about the future of our buildings and fellowships that will need to be faced. If Jesus’ prayer is that the dispersed community of believers is sustained, can we rise to the challenge that this is not about our particular style or place of worship continuing?
Perhaps it will be that as we focus on other aspects of Jesus’ prayer – knowing God (v3) and sharing in Jesus’ purpose by making God’s name known to those we have been given (v6) – that we will discover new ways and places that we continue to be church, and to be one.