Thursday 20 May 2010

Background

This passage speaks a great deal about 'being one'. Jesus likensthe oneness, the unity that exists between himself and God, to theoneness that he hopes and prays will characterise the relationshipamongst his followers. But we know that from the very earliesttimes there have been divisions and disagreements between thefollowers of Jesus. Among those first disciples there wassquabbling about status (eg Mark10:38-45). As the new 'Jesus movement' spread out around theMediterranean area there were huge disputes between Jews whofollowed Jesus and non-Jews (Gentiles) (eg Acts15). The Jews tried to make the Gentiles subscribe to Jewishpractice before they could become Christians. Much of Paul'sletters deals with this problem.

Down the ages Christians have disagreed about things to such anextent that they have sometimes even killed each other for holdingdifferent opinions. This has led to the Church being composed ofmany parts. There are now numerous denominations and groups whohold slightly differing views about Jesus, about the Communionservice, about whether preaching is more important than liturgy andritual, or vice versa. Some Christian groups do not even recogniseothers as being 'true Christians'.

Today's passage is often used as a plea for Christians to worktogether, and the really important part speaks of working togetherand being in fellowship with one another not just for its own sake,but "that the world may believe". Christian disunity can so oftenbe used by others to discredit the faith. John Wesley commentedthat we may not always agree with one another, but we should alwayslove and work with one another.

To Ponder

Recently, the president of the MethodistConference got a lot of media coverage by suggesting to the Churchof England General Synod that the Methodist Church was prepared togo out of existence if that would aid the mission of the Church. What do youthink of that?

Some Roman Catholics see ecumenism (promotingunity among Christian denominations) resulting in Churches comingback into the Catholic Church. How could the gifts and insights ofvarious Churches be received as gifts if gradually all Churchescame closer together?