The third part of the priestly and royal prayer of John 17 is for the community of the future, (v 20-26). Jesus prays for the unity of the community, a unity following on the communion of the Christian with Father and Son. The missionary role is not lost to sight: 'that the world may believe'. These later disciples, like the initial group, are sent, as the Master was, 'to bear witness to the truth' (18:37).

'Glory' will be theirs as, in their turn and measure, they make Father and Son known. But they can have this 'glory', this revealing role, only if they are one with Father and Son. Only so will their witness have force. Only so will it be witness to a God who is love.

Jesus will make the Father more deeply known. But that will be at the cost of love. It is only in a loving community that the love of Father and Son can be experienced, that Father and Son can be truly known.

Only in loving one another can the disciples be one with Jesus; only so will he dwell among them and he in them. It is the earnest prayer of Jesus that this be so: 'I pray for them'.