31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

  • 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

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 Dr. David Fitch, Betty R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary.