Shared Blessings: The Power of Unity in God’s Kingdom
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 133:1-3 & Acts 4:31-35
Today, let’s explore the powerful messages of transformation, unity, and joy found in Isaiah 35:1-10 and Acts 4:31-35.
In Isaiah 35:1-10, we read about a beautiful vision of a world made better by God’s kindness. Isaiah talks about places that were once empty becoming full of life and people coming together instead of being apart.
Let’s talk first about change. Isaiah shows us how God can turn places that seem hopeless into wonderful and abundant ones. This reminds us that God can bring amazing improvements to our lives when we let God’s love in.
But this change isn’t just for individuals; it’s for communities and the whole world too. Isaiah says, “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God…'” (Isaiah 35:3-4).
This kind of change isn’t just about making things look better on the outside. It’s also about helping people feel better inside. It asks us to be kind to those who need help and to encourage those who feel afraid.
Next, the passage talks about togetherness. Isaiah dreams of a time when everyone gets along and helps each other. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy” (Isaiah 35:5-6).
This shows us that in God’s world, there’s no room for people to be apart or treated differently. Instead, everyone is included and treated equally, celebrating what makes each person special.
Prophet Isaiah draws a beautiful image of heaven throughout the Book of Isaiah, especially in Isaiah 11:6-9:
“The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.”
(cf. Isaiah 65:25: The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. Dust will be the serpent’s food. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” says Yahweh.)
Isaiah describes a world where unlikely companions, like wolves and lambs, peacefully coexist, guided by a child. This harmony extends to nature, where even predators and prey live together without fear. Children play safely near dangerous animals, symbolizing the protection of God. The overarching message is clear: when people embrace God’s love and understanding, they can foster peace and unity by resolving conflicts, spreading kindness, and demonstrating love in their daily lives.
As followers of Jesus, we’re asked to live out these ideas of change and togetherness. We’re called to make our communities better, break down walls between people, and share the good news of God’s love with everyone.
In the book of Acts, we see how the early Christians worked together after receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) tells us how they shared everything they had and took care of each other, which made a big difference in their lives and community.
This unity among believers made a big change – not just in how they lived individually but also in how they lived together.
Acts 4:31-35 says:
“31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.”
The Bible shows us how they worked together. They all wanted the same thing and shared what they had. Nobody kept things just for themselves. Instead, they made sure everyone had what they needed so nobody was poor. This showed how much they cared for each other and how much they wanted to follow Jesus’ teachings.
What can we learn from them? Working together isn’t just nice; it makes things better. When we come together, we show how much God loves us, and we invite others to love God too.
But being together doesn’t mean being the same. We’re all different and that’s okay. Each of us has something special to offer, and that’s a good thing. As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14:
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”
Our togetherness in Jesus is stronger than anything that might separate us, like where we come from or what we look like. It’s based on the fact that we’re all God’s children and part of Jesus’ family. When we work together for good, we make the world a better place.
Psalm 133:1-3 says:
“1 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes, 3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.”
Psalm 133:1-3 shows us how nice it is when people get along. Just like oil and dew are good for us, being together as God’s family brings us good things and life that lasts forever.
In closing, let’s try to be more together in our churches, communities, and families. Let’s try to bring people closer instead of pushing them away, show kindness instead of judgment, and love each other like Jesus loves us. When we’re together, we’re stronger, and we can make the world a better place by sharing God’s love with everyone.
As we think about these stories, let’s remember that the same changes and togetherness we see in the Bible can happen for us too. Let’s boldly tell others about Jesus, love each other well, and work together for good in our communities. Together, let’s embrace what God wants for us – change and togetherness – knowing that God is with us every step of the way. Amen.
