Devotional: Tune in to Jesus
My faith has been encouraged by the youth pastors and leaders from various churches in our community who have striven to work together for an initiative they have branded “UNITE.”
While working over denominational, philosophical, and even sometimes theological understandings has proven to be hard and delicate work, watching them has given me a deeper appreciation for the profound realities expressed in the Bible by Jesus Himself regarding His Church.
In the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus prays a simple prayer that echos profound these many centuries later — that all who would believe in Jesus through the apostle’s message may be brought to complete unity. If you are shocked that Jesus prayed this prayer, I would encourage you to read it for yourself and consider His words. This request seems impossible.
While grappling with the same question in regards to the church — both local and global — author and pastor A.W. Tozer had a unique insight. He wondered how a cacophony of voices could ever be united in praise through a single note. He then suggested that all we need do is set our instruments to the single note of Jesus. Let Him be our tuning fork, our example and our guide.
As part of the Body of Christ, if we were to tune our hearts, minds and lives to Jesus’ unique frequency, perhaps the arms, legs, feet and hands of His Body just might begin to move in glorious unison. Not the arms competing with the legs, or the body tearing itself apart, but purposeful movement in and for His glory and under His wise direction.
Yes, I know, it’s high-minded isn’t it? But if you listen closely, you just might hear Jesus humming.
Pastor Bill Dempsey
Family Bible Church
This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Devotional: Tune in to Jesus."