May the mumbling commence!
Today’s Scripture reading includes one of my favorite Psalms – Psalm 133. If what the notes in my chronological Bible are true, it caps both the reflection from yesterday and the events of today in my life. Read it in its entirety below:
How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Unity between people is good and pleasant. David likens unity with two things. First, David likens it to anointing oil. And the anointing is not scant; the anointing is extravagant – like Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with pure nard in the gospel of John (John 12:3). It runs down Aaron’s beard and down upon his collar. Oil is used to consecrate, to anoint someone for service to the Lord.
How much easier it will be if we live in unity with one another to enter into service for the Lord! Yes, we have our calling from God as individuals, but we also have our calling as the gathered body of Christ. When we work together like a functioning body, we speak far more to the people around us than when we act on our own.
Second, David likens unity to dew. Dew from heaven bestows blessings on all. Dew helps to sustain life – even life forevermore. Another use for oil is to heal, to make one. When we can live in unity, we are healed not only for eternal life but also for service in our Lord’s kingdom. Our unity together will anoint our leaders and help them to realize their potential in the Lord. Less ministry time would need to be devoted to mending the body of Christ. Our unified actions will fall upon our communities as dew, encouraging new abundant and everlasting life.
No wonder David described unity as good and pleasant!
Still think unity is not important? Listen to Jesus’ prayer for us recorded in John 17:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (Verses 20-26)
As some of you know, I have been memorizing this prayer for a Passion drama. Unity is Christ’s prayer for us. Love is Christ’s prayer for us. When we fall short of this goal, the message of Christ is muted in our lives.
Let’s allow our lights to shine in unity with one another. Let’s focus on the things that unify us – service and sacrificial love. Let us be “little Christs,” Christians.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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