In John 17, Jesus spends some time right before he is arrested praying. This chapter is one of the most amazing parts in all of scripture.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will 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 have sent me.” John 17:20–21
In praying for his people, Jesus prayed that we would be a people of unity. Look at how he builds the idea: At the bottom, Jesus and the Father are united. Above that, he prays that we would have that same kind of unity among the people of God. At the top—and this is amazing part—he says that this kind of unity will display to the world the truth of the gospel.
Our world is fractured and broken. People don’t get along. Our sinful hearts push people who aren’t like us away. Sadly, that’s the normal pattern in our world and this pattern has played out over and over throughout history.
It’s into this darkness that the unity of the church can be a bright light. The people of God are called to stand out by being a diverse group of weirdos who love each other. We are a people united to Christ, and so we are united to one another.
In an effort to live into this truth, we are partnering with a few other churches in the city for Holy Week 2022. We invite you to not only come together and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ our Lord, but to come together and join arms with a few other churches who also love the Lord and who are committed to San Francisco: First Presbyterian Church, Sanctuary Church, and Trinity Church.
— Pastor Jon