United

 

 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, "You don't know what you're talking about!   You don't realize that it's better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed."

  He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.   And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

  So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus' death.

 (Joh 11:49-53 NLT)

His death transcended time and space.  His death was for the Jewish nation at that time.  But his death was also for each person, no matter their nationality, for generation to generation.  


I can tell you firsthand that Christ is able to unite those of us who are children of God, no matter where we’re from.  There have been times I’ve gone on a visit with believers from Lebanon, Syria and China. Our cultural backgrounds are not the same, we didn’t grow up speaking the same language.  Our family dynamics are different.  And yet, we come with one purpose.  To share the love of Christ with others.  


I have seen this unity with the people we’ve shared with as well.  There’s one woman who I’ve visited a number of times and requested before that you pray for her.  She has been very open to hearing about Jesus and reads the Bible we gave her between our visits.  Because she is moving towards Christ and away from Islam she has been met with opposition from her neighbors.  Still, she wants to know more.  She continues to pray to Jesus.  Most recently she shared that the things she’d felt in her heart towards people (anger, jealousy, unforgiveness) wasn’t there anymore and she felt an indescribable peace and love.  The time she shared this I did not have the benefit of translation… and yet I understood.  The Spirit brought a unity that surpassed language.  The look on her face reflected the peace in her heart.


There are many things that separate us and cause division, but I pray that as each of us focuses on the cross, we will see how we are united with our brothers and sisters in Christ.   Yes, there are complexities that come with this diversity but we have help.  The Holy Spirit can unify us in a way that is stronger than worldly ties.  


Thank you to each of you that has helped bring us to those scattered around the world and share that Christ’s death is not limited to one nation or people group.  Let us unite as one body, one faith, one savior who died for all. 

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