A lack of understanding threatens unity. Jesus deliberated deeply on the cross about what it means to be human and God. He unites us with God. We have hope of unity as people too. The key is to deliberate. Deliberate unity!

Unity Divided

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:1

Jeremiah was a prophet who lived during a time of division and conflict for God’s people in Jerusalem around 600 BCE. Assyria had conquered the northern tribes and made Jerusalem a vassal state. But things were going from bad to worse. Babylon conquered Assyria and had its eye on Jerusalem. The people became divided.

One camp of people in Jerusalem devoted themselves to the king and the temple. They believed that a line of kings descended from David would rule Jerusalem forever, and that God favored Jerusalem over all other nations. The key to maintain favor and power with God was to worship God in the temple according to the sacrifices prescribed by the priests. 

Another camp of people felt differently about Jerusalem’s place and security with God. They felt that the key to having power and maintaining security was through a faithful adherence to the law. They looked to Moses as a great prophet who revealed God’s law to the people. There would be blessing and abundance if the people followed the law and lived ethically. If the people didn’t follow the law then their situation would get worse, God would judge them, and despair would be assured.

While the people in Jerusalem grew more divided, they became an easier target for Babylon. The leaders were exiled to Babylon, the city captured, and the temple destroyed. This exile ruptured the belief that Jerusalem would live in favor and peace forever.

Lack of Understanding Divides

Destroying unity and sewing division is an ancient strategy for weakening an opponent. One way to sew division is to keep people uninformed. The people are fearful when uninformed. Fear leads people to divide themselves and be suspicious of groups who appear different. 

We are currently living in a time of division. Bishop Emeritus Murray Finck mentioned last week that social issues seem to have driven a wedge between people on issues ranging from the economy, to immigration, foreign policy, and the environment. A lack of deliberate understanding fuels division during our own time. 

Sometimes we choose to be uninformed, because we feel as though we lack any power to make a difference. Lots of people have lost faith in elections so they don’t bother putting in the work to deliberate on issues or candidates. Lack of understanding increases when people get stuck inside “echo chambers.” They only listen to the media outlets they agree with and don’t take the time to understand different points of view. 

When Jesus was dying on the cross three different people asked the same question showing a lack of understanding during their time too. They asked, “Why doesn’t this Jesus save himself?” They thought that a leader had to be powerful by taking power from others and keeping it for themselves. While Jesus was suffering on the cross during his crucifixion he looked out and saw a divided people who didn’t understand. He said,

“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”