God Speaks

Peter’s Jewish heart is divided—wanting to keep Moses, representing the Law; Elijah, representing the Prophets; and Jesus, representing the new revelation, all on the same level. He said: “Let us make three tabernacles.” This was serious, for the whole future was bound up with the question of whether Jesus was final and whether supreme allegiance should be given to Him. It is significant that immediately following this statement, a cloud descended and “they became afraid as they entered the cloud.”

Where there is division, there will always be clouds. There are clouds over our churches, and we fear as we enter those clouds. Why are we afraid? The answer is simple—division. Each denomination is thinking in terms of itself, is losing a sense of the collective unity. But out of the cloud comes a Voice. God speaks! The voice is one of evaluation and invitation: “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Lk 9:35). The clouds will never lift and the fears will never depart until we listen to Christ. And what is He saying? This: “May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You” (Jn 17:21). Christ must be first, and the unity of His Body must take priority over any denominational allegiance.

As the Divine Eagle nudges His Church toward the edge of the nest in an effort to cause it to soar above denominational divides, I pray that it will not be long before we who share Christ’s Name truly become one.

Further Study

Mt 5:21-26; Isa 11:13; 52:7; Jn 10:16

What steps will you take to build Christian unity?

Is there anyone you need to be reconciled to?