Nehemiah 8:1-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21
Introduction
The peace of the Lord be with you...
Why is unity in the body of Christ so hard? The thought of this question always ignites worry in my spirit.
Yes, we live in a world marked by division and discord, meanwhile, God calls His people to be united, not just in spirit but in purpose and mission. Paul asks, "Is Christ divided?" (1 Cor. 1:13). Disunity is fueled by denominational and doctrinal boundaries. The religious disunity has grown so deep to the extent that even sincere Christians fail "to live a life worthy of the calling... completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love" staying far away from the "effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:1-3)
Our reflection today will bring us to the understanding that unity is not merely the absence of conflict but the active pursuit of a shared vision grounded in God’s Word and Christ’s mission. One body, one Christ reminds me of the saying that, he who experiences the unity of life sees his own self in all others.
In Nehemiah 8, the people of Israel are united "as one" to hear the reading of God’s Law. The entire assembly—men, women, and children old enough to understand—gathered to listen attentively. This scene captures the essence of religious unity: God’s people coming together with a shared hunger for His Word.
Ezra's reading of the Law sparked both weeping and rejoicing. Why? Because the Word revealed both their shortcomings and God’s enduring mercy. Unity is built on this foundation: a common recognition of our need for God’s grace and a shared joy in His faithfulness. As Nehemiah declared, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy is what binds us together, empowering us to live as one.
The center of our religious disunity has always been "we are right and they are wrong." Our common recognition of our needs and shared joy has eluded us.
As a Church, are we creating spaces for all manner of persons to encounter God’s Word and experience His grace? Unity begins when we set aside individual agendas and gather with one heart to seek God’s truth. Reflect on this truth, things that bring and hold disunity in the Church are the peripherals, unimportant for the mission, without weight.
Again, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians offers a powerful metaphor for unity: the body of Christ. "Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). Paul emphasizes that every member of the body is essential. The hand cannot say to the eye, "I have no need of you," nor can the head dismiss the feet. Diversity within the body is not a threat to unity, rather, it is its strength.
We understand that the diversity of our abilities comes to complement each other. It is disheartening to observe Christians pushing and trapping others all because of fame or popularity. Even if people do not recognize your humble service, be glad that your heavenly Father has taken note of you. Let us embrace each other and their potential with love and support.
Paul also reminds us that we were all baptized into one Spirit—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and made to drink of one Spirit. This brings the consciousness that, unity transcends human divisions of race, gender, class, or nationality.
Why is unity so hard for the Church? If today, highly respected Christian leaders still cloud their hearts with tribalism, finding it so difficult to work and worship with people who do not speak their language. This is ungodly and evil. Beloved, religious unity is a unity born of the Spirit, rooted in love, and expressed in mutual care.
Do we celebrate the diversity within our Congregation? Are we nurturing an environment where each person—regardless of their tribe or even political affiliation—feels valued and empowered? Unity flourishes when every member recognizes their God-given purpose and contributes to the body’s mission.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus engages His public ministry by reading from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus’ mission was inclusive and transformative, addressing physical, spiritual, and social needs. I believe it was a call to action for the entire community.
Jesus’ declaration challenges us to align our mission with His. Religious unity is not passive; it is active participation in God’s work of liberation and restoration. It requires us to stand together against injustice, to serve the marginalized, and to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom.
If this is the mission and vision of the Church, why are we using religion to blind the sighted, oppress the freed, and imprison the innocent?
Are we united in our commitment to Christ’s mission?
Religious unity finds its fullest expression when we work together to bring healing, freedom, good news and hope to a broken world.
Beloved in Christ, for our practical steps toward religious unity, the following five steps should be our guide.
1. Unity in worship. Prioritize gatherings where God’s Word is central, as in Nehemiah’s assembly. Let worship unite us in awe and gratitude.
2. Celebrate diversity. Embrace the unique gifts and perspectives of each member, as Paul exhorted the Corinthians. Let diversity enrich our unity.
3. Christ's mission drive. Focus on Christ’s mission, as outlined in Luke 4. Serve together, proclaim hope, and work for justice in your community.
4. Unity in prayer. Unity begins in prayer. Seek God’s guidance and strength as a community together.
5. Practice forgiveness daily. Unity requires forgiving grace. Be quick to forgive and slow to judge, remembering our shared need for God’s mercy. Amen!
Conclusion
Beloved, religious unity is not an ideal to admire from afar; it is a calling to live out daily. As we gather around God’s Word, celebrate our shared identity in Christ, and join in His mission, we embody the unity for which Jesus prayed: "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). Let our reflections today commit us to building a community that reflects God’s love—a community where many members live as one body, united in faith, hope, and love.
May the joy of the Lord be our strength as we walk this path together. Unity, indeed is strength. Amen!
Shalom aleichem...
