31 Days of UnitySample

(Re)deem: Our movement towards unity is a movement that will take us beyond our church community and outward into a sacrificial love for the world. There is no unity without sharing the mind and purpose of Christ, which is the reconciliation of the entire world. We are being transformed, by grace, to carry out the good works prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10) First, we are reconciled to God. Second, we form communities of reconciliation where we learn to love one another and to live as the body of Christ. Third, together we go out into the world to join Jesus in the ministry of reconciliation.

Our goal is laid out for us in Luke 10 in this example of the multiplying and missional movement of Jesus. Having earlier sent out the twelve to do the same work he was doing, Jesus now expands that group out to 72 of his followers. Living the life of Jesus is not something reserved for the special few, but instead a life all of Jesus's followers are invited into. Jesus sends all 72 of them out to live to their purpose.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2) The harvest of healing and redemption is ready. In his parables, Jesus uses seed and plant metaphors to help us understand God’s kingdom. The new life of the kingdom only takes a small seed to bring about life. It grows in unexpected places. Not all soil is great soil for it to grow, and it often produces a harvest far larger than what you expect.

One thing we can trust, however, is that the seed is good. The good news of God’s kingdom is a good seed that will bring about a harvest. The harvest needs workers, however, and this is our purpose and calling. Together, we must learn to go out into the world and search for the places where Jesus has sown the seeds of God’s kingdom. We go together, in community, to find those who are ready and waiting for the kingdom’s arrival. As we go, we discover God’s provision and power. We don’t have the power to make the seed grow. God does that, but we have the gift of helping to harvest and enjoy the bounty of God’s kingdom breaking through all around us.

One way to help us experience unity is to move outward, together, to seek the kingdom of God. If we can shift our focus off of ourselves and our arguments, and instead pay attention to the good work Jesus is doing in the world, we may discover that part of the harvest we experience is the harvest of our own healing and unity.

After you read the passage, ask yourself these questions:

• What does it look like for us to go out into the world as workers for the harvest?
• Jesus never sent any of the disciples out to do a task by themselves. He even sent two disciples to get a donkey! Who are those you can partner with in this harvest work?
• Jesus tells those sent out to seek houses of peace, those who are ready to receive the good news of God’s kingdom. How do we find these people of peace? Do you know any? Where can you begin your journey to find them?

Our Prayer for (Re)demption

Jesus, you did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to bring salvation. May your light shine brightly through your children, that in our love of one another, the unity of the Church, and our service to the world, all may see your glory and be drawn into life with you. Amen