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Author: Sarah Williamson, from The Light of Christ in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In what is commonly known as Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, Jesus prays: “[I ask] that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:23)

In his last hours before the cross, Jesus prayed that Christians might stand united, becoming perfectly one. Needless to say, we’ve failed and continue to fail. Yet, since the call to be one remains, how can we lean into greater unity with one another? At the heart of such unity is humility, laying down our own desires, opinions, and inclinations to put others first. If you think about it, humility is always the cost of unity. In fact, the greatest project of unity ever accomplished—the bringing together of God and humanity—required the greatest act of humility ever known—Jesus humbling himself to become a man and die for us. And in this unparalleled act of humility, love became manifest to the world.

So too, if we Christians are willing to humble ourselves to live together in unity, the world can see and know love, know that it is the love of Christ at work within us. Are we willing to embrace this humility? Are we willing to say that what I think, what I want and what I like are not what is most important? Instead, are we willing to seek humble unity with our brothers and sisters?

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.