This week we were thinking about Unity,
The reading was from John 17: 20 – 26 where Jesus prays for all those he has gathered in his lifetime but also for all those who will follow him in later years; that they will all be one just as he is one with his Father; and even more than that, “may they be in us, that the world may believe that thou didst send me.”
It is striking that it is to be the words and deeds of his disciples who know him that will be how others will find their way to Christ and be part of this unity in the Father.
But does this mean we should be all the same.
The disciples were all different; men, women, fishermen, tax collector, some from poorer backgrounds, others with money, some with doubts, others more excitable, some quieter and thoughtful.
All united in following Jesus and letting others know.
Later, after the resurrection they went different ways; preaching, teaching, helping others in practical ways, setting up congregations where they were, or traveling to different parts of the world.
But all of them talking about Jesus in their own individual ways.
As hymn 510 in CH4 puts it;
Jesus calls us to confess him Word of life and Lord of all. Tell his human story; to tell the world that Christ in glory came to earth to meet us here.
Join the hand of friend and stranger; join the hands of age and youth;
join the faithful and the doubter in their common search for truth.
