The vision of the What Did Jesus Say (WDJS) Movement is to make Jesus’ voice preeminent in believers' lives so they can experience a victorious Christian journey. Please note that Jesus’ words appear in red in many Bibles. The WDJS Movement’s foundational scripture is John 12:49," For I have nor spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." Jesus’ words are so powerful because He is speaking the eternal words of His Father.

Because of the current spiritual and political climate in America due to the upcoming 2024 election, I believe it’s time for a reminder of Jesus’ words on “being one”. John 17 is Jesus’ last priestly prayer before He sacrificed His life for you, me, and the entire world on the Cross at Calvary. He prayed in four verses that His followers would be one.

The words of this prayer in the following verses remind us four times of the importance of His followers being one.  It also serves as a reminder of the importance of believers being one with Jesus and His Father. 

John 17:11, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.  Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom that has given me, that they may be one, as we are." 

John 17:21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that though has sent me."

John 17:22, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one..."

John 17:23, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfect in one; that the world may know that thou has sent me, and hast loved them, as thou has loved me."

When something is repeated in Scripture it is for emphasis.  Let’s remember Jesus’ words about being one, being united.  News flash, He wasn’t just praying for followers in His time but for His future followers, which includes believers today and tomorrow.  In verse 20, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word."

Jesus was often referred to as Rabbi (John 1:38) which means Teacher because He was always teaching His followers about the Kingdom of God. He previously taught them that a kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand (Read Matthew, Mark 3:24, and Luke 11:17).

Being one or united has always been critical. In response to political matters in 1799, Patrick Henry said, "United we stand, divided we fall.” A quote in today's world says, “We are better together.” My mantra is, “United we stand, divided we will destroy one another.”

Yes, America, sometimes we all need reminders. The purpose of this article is to remind you of Jesus' words to “be one” with one another and one with Jesus and His Father.

The Word of God always demands a response.  How will you respond? I pray in the name of Jesus that your response will be in the affirmative. “Yes Father, please help me to be one with my sisters and brothers in Christ and with you and Jesus”. Amen!