In His prayer, Jesus makes a distinction between His disciples and the world. He clearly states, “I am praying for them [disciples]. I am not praying for the world” (John 17:9). Jesus makes no promise to bring peace to a hostile, hateful world. This calls to our minds the Old Testament prophecies. The King rules while surrounded by active enemies (Psalm 2:1-12; 110:1-2; Acts 2:35; 4:24-27). It also calls to mind where Jesus gives His peace:
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
“In Me you may have peace.”
Notice the contrast. “In” the world disciples have trouble. “In” Christ they enjoy peace. Christ’s reign, therefore, is not about imposing peace worldwide, enforcing some sort of cease-fire on all the nations. The world remains rebellious. Rather, the King’s peace and unity are for His own people, those who are “in Me.” This too was pictured by the prophets: Many peoples flow to the “mountain of the house of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:1-4 cf. Micah 4:1-7). That is where they beat their swords into plowshares. There, “in” the King’s mountain, in His kingdom, peace and unity flourish. “They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9).
Jesus says He is not praying for the world. Nor is He praying for unity among those who …
- make false claims about Christs (Matthew 24:5, 23-24).
- wear sheep’s clothing as if they are Christians (Matthew 7:15).
- mislead themselves and others with miracles (Matthew 7:22-23; 24:24 cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13).
- “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15).
Jesus has no relationship with the disobedient.
If they disobey, beginning with basics for entering the kingdom, Jesus has no relationship with them (Matthew 7:21-23). He does not tolerate groups like the Nicolaitans and Jezebel’s followers who have infiltrated His congregations (Revelation 2:6, 15, 20). Nor will He keep within His flock those who are not fully committed to Him. “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). Jesus, the “one Shepherd,” has “one flock” made up of those who hear and follow His voice (John 10:2-5, 16). His one flock is not made up of those who follow other shepherds with other voices. Likewise, in Jesus’ prayer, He is specific about those He unites: “those who believe in [Christ] through their word [through the apostles’ teaching]” (John 17:20). Similarly, Jesus is clear about His kind of unity, and it is very different from patching together separate factions that claim His name.