If found – oneness in relationships is a great gift of life. To imprint this we take a careful look as Jesus conversed with His Father in one of the most intimate passages of Scripture. They had community!
“I have made visible Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are one.” John 17:6-11
Jesus is explaining and modeling the roots of true community. We can come from the same town, share significant experiences, have similar backgrounds, and be held together by the many in-common experiences of growing up, launching, and living. But it is connectivity of heart that holds us together for this lifetime and beyond.
Note several things from Jesus as He speaks with His Dad.
- Jesus’ “men” were gifts from His Father.
- They have kept Your Word and come to know the truth. They believed.
- The Father, Son, Spirit, and the “men” were made into one.
√ So – truth is a huge part of experiencing Kingdom community.
√ Oneness with each other is predicated on our connection with the Father.
√ When we find and connect with people who are “gifts” to us we experience community.
So it appears that Jesus is the key to being Mentored by God.
The link to this book is here.
Kingdom community is built around King first – next Kingdom – then Church. This list of “one another’s” can help you unlock those interactions which will expand and comfort our lives.
Pages 75-84 in Curious Journey covers these amazingly insightful connections for people who are searching for true community. How we interact with one another defines our community – both by things we choose to include and for those things for which we take a pass.
How would you describe your community with other men and women? With Jesus? With the Father?
Excited to share community with you!
Dave and Burnadette