Two topics are often off-limits when meeting new people: politics and religion. People have their own opinion, and true exchanges of ideas are quite rare. After all, religions only divide people, right?
In today’s text, a Samaritan woman comes by herself to draw water at the well, much later than other women.
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Short, but powerful and evocative–that’s my description of Psalm 133. I might also add, easily read, but difficult to put into practice. Unity among the people of God is that great allusive goal that seems to always disappear around the next bend in the road. But there God has commanded his blessing, if we could only reach that blessed state.
The psalmist uses two metaphors to portray this good and pleasant state of affairs.
Read More Unity, loveTwo topics are often off-limits when meeting new people: politics and religion. People have their own opinion, and true exchanges of ideas are quite rare. After all, religions only divide people, right?
In today’s text, a Samaritan woman comes by herself to draw water at the well, much later than other women.
Read More Messiah, Unity, Jews, SamaritansI was sitting on the floor in a meditative church service. The worship leader had been talking about brokenness. How sometimes we can feel lost, but that Jesus wants to reach out to everyone and bring them to a saving, light-filled, restoring relationship with him. Then he read chapter 11 of John’s Gospel, about the death of Lazarus.
Read More Unity, cross, scattered peopleChapter 17 starts with Jesus praying for himself, then for his disciples, and ends with his passionate prayer for all who believe in him. He gives priority to praying for their unity. Jesus knew that one of Satan’s frequent tools of battle is conflict. Jesus wanted his followers to stay together; to exhibit such brotherly love that the outside world would be attracted to their lifestyle.
Read More family, Unity, loveWhen the church grows, it always faces new challenges. Growth requires change. The apostles could no longer manage the care for widows, as well as prayer and proclamation. We see the Spirit leading the church to find good resolution together. The apostles as spiritual leaders define the issue and propose a solution. The believers accept the recommendation and discern the individuals whom they believe are gifted for this ministry of care.
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The revelation is given to Peter in the context of his sleep (Acts 10:10). Deep sleep signifies a transformational moment in the workings of God towards mankind. We see it in deep-sleeping dreams to Adam (Genesis 2:21), Abraham (Genesis 15:4), and Daniel (Daniel 7:1).
Cornelius, the God fearing centurion, is a man who has made it his habit to be in the presence of God through prayer.
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Once again Ezekiel performs a piece of street theatre (vv 15-17; compare 4:1-5; 5:1-4; 12:1-7). In chapter 4 Ezekiel played toy soldiers; here he becomes a signwriter. Each stick may have been a wooden board coated with beeswax – a common medium for writing formal messages in the ancient Near East.
Read More Unity, street theatrePaul did everything humanly possible to maintain unity between Christians of Jewish origin and those who were of pagan (Gentile) origin. He respected each group and laboured unceasingly for toleration between both groups. In practical terms, that meant not asking Jews to live as Gentiles or Gentiles to live like Jews.
Read More Unity, law, concession, compromises, doctrine‘Singing from the same hymn sheet’ has become a fairly common idiom, despite fears that it might offend atheists! It demonstrates a common understanding that, for any venture to succeed, all stakeholders must say the same things in public. Here, as Paul continues to spell out the implications of Christian citizenship …
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