Kathairo Solutions

This spring I’ve had the blessing of speaking to many different groups about the gospel and racial reconciliation. Pictures from 2 experiences are below:

We spent ample time in John chapter 17. Here Jesus prays to the Father on behalf of His followers. Shortly before being arrested and crucified, Jesus spoke these words. As time with the disciples is ending, the Lord shares this intention for His body. The Lord desires that they experience the true essence of eternal life (knowing God) and that they are protected from enemy’s schemes. Jesus is clear when He says:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

John 17:20-21 ESV

This prayer is for all believers, all over the world, at all times. The Father and the Son have a relationship marked by unity, intimacy, and love, and shared purpose. Jesus prays that the relationship between believers should reflect this oneness. Jesus desires that His Church be unified in a way that models the relationship between the Father and the Son. Why? The Lord is clear; this is a sign to the world that Jesus has been sent by God

This can be applied to any social construct, including race. Where the world stands divided, Christians should love each other across lines of separation. Christians should love each other across racial lines in a way that shocks others and makes them say, “I don’t know what that is, but I want it!”

Reflection questions:

• Why don’t we see this happening more in our churches?
• Do we understand what Jesus desires for us?
• In general, what message is the Church sending to the world regarding racial unity?
• Specifically, what message is your church sending to others regarding racial unity and, thus, the character of Christ.

“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

John 17:222-23 ESV