John 20:19–31
The word “unity” describes the quality of being united into one. To better understand these qualities of existence consider unity as being undivided completeness with nothing missing.
There is a complete unity among the Holy Father, His Son, and The Holy Spirit. A wise person would seek to have such a unity in love relationships, but for many it is just too perfect of a quality to enjoy. Then again to be able and comprehend the evidence of unity in complex situations is a beauty for the mind to behold.
Albert Einstein is quoted to have said; “It is a magnificent feeling to recognize the unity of complex phenomena which appear to be things quite apart from the direct visible truth.”
Psalm 133 is a cheerful and hopeful song enjoyed by the Jewish people traveling to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim festivals. Also during festivals as the priest would climb the steps up to the minister they would have included singing Psalm 133. The beauty in this Psalm is its description of a unity that would be a quality of life for humankind to enjoy.
Psalm 133 (Tanakh) A song of ascents. Of David.
How good and how pleasant it is that brothers dwell together. 2It is like fine oil on the head running down onto the beard, the beard of Aaron, that comes down over the collar of his robe; 3like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the mountains of Zion. There the LORD ordained blessing, everlasting g life.
Such a unity is found when all believe in the same truth with the same sense of understanding. That same belief and understanding is possessed by each in their thoughts, and deeds. Often humankind’s need for power “do it my way” or just plain old individual “look at me” humanness fights against being in such unity.
What makes unity attractive is the evidence of individuals putting aside their differences for the focus of all to be upon a truth that each believes in. Unity is evident in love, with a male and female set apart their self-serving needs and instead focus on the unity of the two. This is the reason for having a committed married relationship.
Unity is a beauty to know in the fellowship of the church. For an outsider unity is seen in the moral and spiritual qualities the members subscribe to. The lack of unity would cause an outsider to question the members motivates. Are they really focused on Jesus Christ? Maybe their motivation in being in the church is their own quest for doing things their way.
To behold unity among the fellowship of the church is to sense fine sacred anointing oil running down Aaron’s long beard. The church that does not have unity may have some success. But the reality is they will not because of the reasons that fight unity not win souls for life eternal. Because unity is provided by the one we are to be focused upon Jesus Christ. The spirit of the Son provides life everlasting.
To illustrate beauty of unity among believers let’s consider Acts 4:32-35. They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
The early community of true believers was focused upon Jesus Christ. Maybe it was because they were expecting his return at any moment they looked like a unified soul. There was only one church and not what we see today. Today we can see over fifty different flavors of what it means to be a Christian. Most are not acting as if they expect Jesus to return during their lifetime. These fifty plus brands of Christians argue with each other and do everything possible to not pray together, or receive Holy Communion together. One piece of criticism the Muslims like to point out.
Makes you wonder how the evidence of the early church eyewitnesses has survived over two thousand years. On the day of his resurrection our Gospel lesson points out that unity was not evident among the disciples. For the most part they were together but that more because they feared the leadership of the Jews? When the women returning from the tomb brought news they were more doubters not believing their different reports.
A brief aside to the confusion of unity in the women’s reports; I find my thought agreeing with the analysis of scripture addressing the differences in the women reports due to the women not arriving in one group. With some carrying heavier bags of spices, it makes the case that the ones whom were going to perform the washing would have made it quicker than the women carrying the heavier bags. It is also very possible that Mary returned a second time after making her initial report to the disciples.
John 20:19–31 (ESV) Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
On Sunday evening, the day of his resurrection; Jesus entered a securely locked room and appeared to his fearful disciples. They had fear of the Jews but the way Jesus entered most likely had they afraid of a ghost being present. To prove whom he was Jesus showed them his hands and his side. Luke tells us to prove he was not a ghost he eat a piece of broiled fish. Remember the eyewitness testimony of those present has survived over thousand years, why?
Fear became joy, and they were rejoicing to again be with the Lord. What will you feel when you know being in the presence of the Father and his Son Jesus Christ?
Jesus commissions his disciples to be his ambassadors and to proclaim the message the Father had sent Jesus into this life to proclaim. God empowered the first Adam into life by breathing life into that created body. God spoke to his prophet Ezekiel (chapter 37:1-14) and provided a vision of new life entering the tombs of Jewish dry bones by the breath of God. So Jesus breathed life upon his disciples.
Only God can forgive sins. But it was for this purpose God sent his only Son. The meaning of the passage about holding onto the sins of another person has been argued since the Council of Trent. I had a lady professor; who had argued before the committee of bible translators an interpretation claiming what was to be held on to were sinners and not their sins. Her paper was not accepted, the passage as translated into English remains a question. Remember Peter asked how many times he was to forgive his brother. When faced with the question of what to do with the forgiveness you do not want to offer; I suggest a prayer meeting two or more present. In such a prayer meeting Jesus is with us.
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
For years we have heard sermons about being a doubting Thomas. This gets a bit old because truthfully what did Thomas do that the others did not do. The other did not believe in the testimony of the women returning from the tomb they had to check it out for themselves. None of them understood what Jesus meant about his suffering and death. Let alone rebuilding the temple after three days. To this very day, the eyewitness account of the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact with only those with whom the Lord has revealed himself to. And it was for that purpose the gospel accounts of Jesus Christ were written.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The purpose of scripture is to minister to faith. How does faith come to you? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Your faith has the purpose of supporting the eyewitness testimony that Jesus is the Christ. Second faith helps your understanding of God’s plan for your salvation. That by believing you will know life eternal in the kingdom of God.
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
In closing consider the thoughts contained in a recent e-mail.
Consider what would happen if you treated your Bible like we treat our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
