Trinitarian Ontological Unity in John 17:21-23

The unity Jesus prays for in John 17:21-23 is modeled after the perfect unity within the Trinity. This unity is not superficial or merely social; it is rooted in the very nature of God Himself, reflecting the perfect harmony and oneness shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus’ prayer, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you,” points to a unity as intimate and perfect as the relationship between the Father and the Son ([12:11]).

This unity within the Trinity is a profound mystery that believers are called to emulate. It is an incredible bond rooted in the shared essence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—an ontological unity that is perfect and unbreakable ([13:10]). This divine unity is sacred, revealing a profound and holy relationship that goes beyond superficial agreement to sharing the same divine life and essence ([13:10]).

Christian unity is not a simplistic or immature pursuit. It is a deep theological truth that reflects the very core of the Trinity’s nature. The unity Jesus prays for is hyperbolic—almost impossible to achieve without divine aid—but it is the standard to which believers are called. This standard is impossible apart from God’s grace ([12:11]). The preciousness and vitality of Christian unity lie in its divine origin, not in human effort.

Practically, this theological truth calls believers to see unity as a reflection of their relationship with God—an ongoing experience of His love and grace flowing from their connection to Christ. True unity is rooted in loving God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself ([24:47]). This love, grounded in experiencing God’s love, naturally leads to unity because it aligns believers with the divine nature.

John 17:21-23 calls believers to pursue a unity rooted in the very nature of God. This unity models the perfect, unbreakable, and shared divine essence within the Trinity and sets the standard for all Christian relationships. It is a profound theological truth that reflects the heart of the gospel and the nature of God. Meditating on and experiencing God’s love enables believers to live in genuine unity with others, modeled after the divine unity that is the foundation of all Christian life ([12:11], [13:10], [24:47]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Crazy Love, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO