31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN

DAY TWENTY-SIX

  • 18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” Jesus Predicts His Death 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

The church, filled with the Spirit and living in mutuality, is sent into the world to join God in the redemption and reconciliation of all things. It is this movement outward in unity, that allows us to participate in God’s healing work and to offer the world a foretaste of the kingdom of God. As we read these passages we are seeking to expand our imagination for how we are called to love and serve the world. In this cultural moment, how does our world most need us to live with sacrificial love? Where is God already working around us? What opportunities exist for us to boldly step out in love to glorify God and bring redemption to the brokenness around us?

As you reflect on the passage for the day, ask yourself these questions:

  • How is the heart of God being revealed in this passage?

  • What vision for the church is the Spirit providing? Is there a metaphor, picture, word, or idea that the Spirit is gifting you?

  • How is God breaking your heart and drawing you into deeper compassion for the world?

  • How can unity change our witness to the beauty of God?


TODAY’S PRAYER

Jesus, you did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to bring salvation. May your light shine brightly through your children, that in our love of one another, the unity of the Church, and our service to the world, all may see your glory and be drawn into life with you. Amen

Commentary: (Re)deem

Video Reflection

Today’s video reflection is from Michael Gulker, President of The Colossian Forum.