Bible Reading: Ezra 3-5; John 20
“And when the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.” Ezra 3:1
In every society today, the image of unity as one man being illustrated in our verse of scripture is powerful. A man’s body is made up of different parts all working together, and moving forward in a coordinated effort. It takes agreement and unity of purpose for the body parts to work together, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5 (KJV)
So also, for any society or community that desires the same. How wonderful and pleasant it is when we live together in unity. The psalmist describes it in Psalms 133 as a worthwhile endeavor; and the flow precious as the anointing oil poured on the high priest and trickling down to his beard.
When we are filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, we can be a unifying force in our relationships as a Church. We can acknowledge each other and accept/submit to one another when necessary to reflect Christ’s character. Our actions can be impactful and rewarding if we smooth over our relationships, which then trickles down to others in effect. I believed the unity of purpose those seven months allowed the Israelites to plan and prepare so that they could work together as one in our opening scripture.
The Jews were so unified that once the foundation of the temple was laid, their praise turns to inseparable tears of joy and sadness “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.” – Ezra 3:12-13 (KJV). Imagine the sound – praise mingled with weeping! In unity, both sets of tears went up as a sweet-smelling savour to God.
For anything to be accomplished in a community of God’s people or the Church, we have to be willing to come together and work with each other. We have to take the time to prepare; then and only then can we manifest greater accomplishment in the works of God.
Prayerful preparation allows for proper execution. We are reminded that “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” Psalms 127:1 (KJV). And there is power in corporate faith. Our efforts in working together are always rewarded when we do it with unity of the spirit, mind and body. We don’t have to be unified in our feelings but unified in our actions to emerge as success in the things of the kingdom. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” – 1 Peter 3:8 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, unite your Church with unity of purpose as one man for greater accomplishment in reaching out to the world in Jesus Name.
Pastor Alfred Samuel