In Luke 8:1-3 we read of certain women who ministered to Jesus and the apostles, tending their needs, unified in this role. Among them was Mary Magdalene, a woman who had been delivered from seven demons and Joanna, a socialite, the wife of a very important government official. What could possibly bind together such diverse women? Jesus. In Luke 6:12-16, we see the list of Jesus' apostles. It's easy to miss the point that one of their names was Simon the Zealot. The Zealots sole purpose was to overthrow the Roman government using whatever means necessary. They were known for carrying large, hooked knives under their garments to use on unsuspecting Romans whenever they could. Another apostle was Matthew, the tax collector, who actually worked for the Roman government. Who could bring such hated enemies together? Jesus. Look at the different personalities of impulsive Peter. We read in Luke 9:2-3, 6, that Jesus sent His apostles, "to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick", then told them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics (their version of underwear) apiece". "So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere". What did Jesus tell them to do? To completely rely on and trust God for their mission. We live in a Christian world with many divisions and denominations. In Luke 9:49-50, we see John going against someone who was acting on behalf of Jesus but was not part of their group, but Jesus responds by saying, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."
In Galatians 3:28, Paul says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This mindset can only serve to unify true disciples of Jesus. There are many who claim to be Christian and have intellectually affirmed their beliefs but have yet to allow Jesus to permeate every core of their being. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus didn't commission us to make believers, but disciples. Disciples will hold onto their faith and move in service to bring others to a relationship with Jesus. Non disciples are happy to just sit on the sidelines, add Jesus to their many other beliefs, not trust God completely and be the blended individuals that they are. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." In James 1:22, we read, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." We have a divided nation literally reeling and swaying under the weight of our sin. We have a huge potential Christian army who could do so much more than we are choosing to do. We can make any excuse in the world as to why we choose to not act, but Jesus commands us to completely rely on Him and to step out in faith and action. If we want to see an end to these divisions that plague our world, disciple those around us whom God has placed in our lives. Jesus was then, and now, the only name which can unify such deep divisions.”