“At that time, ten men speaking a variety of languages will grab the sleeve of one Jew, hold tight, and say, ‘Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is with you.’”
1 CORINTHIANS 12:13 (GNT)
In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.
THE ESSENCE
Regardless of our backgrounds, we all grab onto the sleeve of the same divine Jew, to walk with him.
DAILY FODDER
A lot of the New Testament is written to address the tensions between various ethnic groups and cultures within the church. What does that tell us about the magnitude of this challange? It seems to me that when we're facing such challenges, we're doing the right things because we're taking the gospel to people unlike us. This forces us to find our point of unity in the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit, rather than in familiar and comfortable practices.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the way you have drawn so many different kinds of people into your church. Forgive us for our intolerance of those whose cultures lead them to do things differently. Expand our vision beyond "separate but equal" so that we can through the power and wisdom that comes through the Holy Spirit live together as loving siblings. I want to experience unity that transcends culture — even if it means giving up some of the ways I do things. Amen.
Our Father in Heaven,
we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
so that everything that happens here will align
with what is happening in heaven.
and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.
