The Heart of Jesus for His Church: A Prayer for Unity and Glory

John 17:20-26

In this passage from John 17:20–26, Pastor Matt Maloney draws us into Jesus’ final prayer for His church—a prayer marked by deep love and eternal purpose. Jesus asks the Father for two central realities: that His people would be united as one, and that they would ultimately be with Him to see His glory. This sermon challenges us to see unity not as optional, but as essential to our witness, and to long for Christ Himself as the true goal of our faith.

In John 17:20–26, we are given the profound privilege of overhearing Jesus’ prayer just before His crucifixion. This is not a passing thought or secondary concern—this is the heart of Christ for His people. Pastor Matt highlights two central themes that shape both the identity and destiny of the church: our unity in Christ and our future with Him in glory.

1. A Prayer for Unity (v. 21–23)

Jesus prays that His followers “may all be one,” and this unity is not superficial harmony or mere agreement. It is rooted in the very nature of God Himself—“just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” Christian unity flows from the perfect unity of the Trinity: shared truth, purpose, will, and love.

This matters deeply because unity is tied directly to our witness. Jesus says that the world will believe the Father sent Him when they see the unity of His people. In other words, the Gospel is not only proclaimed—it is displayed in the life of a loving, unified church. A healthy Christian community becomes a living picture of redemption, showing how Christ restores what sin has broken.

Yet unity is not easy. As Pastor Matt notes, calling sinners to unity will inevitably bring conflict. Our fallen nature resists it. When unity breaks down, the consequences are real—division, hurt, and often people walking away from the faith altogether.

But Scripture shows us that unity is more important than the absence of conflict. In Galatians 2:11–14, Paul confronts Peter not to shame him, but to restore him because his actions were “not in step with the Gospel.” True unity sometimes requires hard conversations, but always with the aim of reconciliation and grace.

The call, then, is personal:

• Are we actively seeking to build unity in Christ’s church?

• Are we quick to extend grace, even when wronged?

As A. W. Tozer insightfully put it, believers are drawn closer together not by focusing on unity itself, but by fixing their eyes on Christ. The more we are aligned with Him, the more we are aligned with one another.

2. A Prayer for Presence (v. 24–26)

Jesus’ prayer doesn’t stop at unity—it points beyond it. “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.”

Unity is not an end in itself. It exists because we want Christ. The ultimate hope of the Christian life is not simply a better community or even restored relationships—it is being with Jesus and beholding His glory.

This is a staggering promise. One day, believers will see Christ as He truly is, in all His fullness and majesty. This future reality reshapes our present priorities. Our longing for unity, our pursuit of holiness, and our commitment to the church are all grounded in this greater hope: eternal communion with Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus’ prayer reveals both our calling and our destiny. We are called to be a people marked by unity—costly, grace-filled, Christ-centered unity that bears witness to the world. And we are destined for something far greater: to be with Jesus and to see His glory.

So the question remains:

Are we living now in light of what Jesus has prayed for us?