A Prayer for Easter

The Book of John conveys so beautifully the divine nature of Jesus. It tells believers how we are to live in relationship with Jesus and how we are to demonstrate to others the love he gives us. It is full of challenges and promises, and it shows how the world could be transformed, not by what we do, but by what we believe. It contains what are perhaps my favorite verses in all of scripture, John 6:28-29. ". . .What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered . . . 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'"

Simple. Uncomplicated. We're not asked to jump through hoops or be argumentative. We are asked to believe in Jesus, in who he is and in what he says. If I were to choose my favorite book of the Bible, John would be it, even though it is heart-breaking for me to read, especially the last few chapters, which tell of Jesus as he is living his last few days on earth. He has poured out his heart and soul to revolutionize and change the world, and it seems that even his closest friends and followers do not understand him. The prayer he prays in chapter 17 is, I believe, as close as we can get to a summary of his mission.

I recommend during this time of year when we celebrate the life of Jesus that everyone read John 17. It speaks of knowing God and glorifying him. It tells of the joy we are to have and of sanctification and truth. It conveys wonderful words of love, and it calls believers to unity. Jesus prays, in verse 23, ". . . that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved me."

My prayer for Easter is that believers will put aside petty differences and concentrate on what we have in common. That the word-wrangling and sniping would stop, and we would find common ground with our brothers and sisters, so the world can see what love is. That we would seek not what divides but that which unites. Many will say the divisions are too deep, and I am naive to think unity is possible. But I will accept any label you want to pin on me, because my prayer is the same prayer Jesus prayed. Let's be the answer to his prayer this Easter.