From The Big Idea for My Community – Our Unity is Prophesied
Some Context
For almost three years, I have—for better or worse—allowed this blog to become quite dusty for the sake of creating a book I’m calling The Big Idea: On the Role of the Church in the Return of Our Lord. Now, I believe the Spirit may be prodding me to begin sharing the writings of this book through this blog for the sake of your motivation and my affirmation.
So starting with the intended audience of my church community group and any other Christian friends, here is a section from Chapter 6 – of The Big Idea on “What Does the Bible Say About Our Unity?”
Our Unity is Prophesied
John 11:49b-52 – “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” [Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
Did you catch that, Christian? Most of our unpacked truth about unity has been velvety—delicate, smooth, and soft. This passage is a brick—strong, straightforward, and profound. The Gospel writer John comments how these words, unawarely spoken through the unexpected prophet Caiaphas, the same man who ironically would later condemn Jesus to death for blasphemy (Mark 14:60-65), reveal God’s ultimate plan for the cross—to unite the scattered children of God.
Jesus’ died to unite his Church.
To further emphasize this theme, Jesus uses an extended metaphor one chapter earlier in John to echo this prophecy: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). Our unity is prophesied twice by God—once by Jesus as a metaphor and once by the Spirit through Caiaphas, so it will come to pass. Nevertheless, we are finding that the choice is ours, Church, if it will be in this generation.
Let us fulfill prophecy through our unity.
A Last Word
I hope you liked that! If you did, and you would like to hear more of The Big Idea, please comment or share! Jesus isn’t returning until everybody hears about Him first; so let’s unite, serve our fellow man, and get the word out!
