Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-16; John 17:1-11
Introduction
Practically, a few moments after a resounding victory can be more confusing than the battle itself. After celebrating Easter as our victory, what is next? Now the tomb is empty; Christ is risen indeed, but here comes the suspense: the disciples are caught between revealing grace and responsibility. What do we do now? That question still echoes in the Church today.
United in 'Martys'
The disciples, after the resurrection, asked Jesus about the restoration of Israel’s kingdom, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Their messianic expectation was still politically focused, meanwhile, Christ's response points to missional. He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” The Greek term 'martys' (witness) connotes testimony under pressure, being a witness even unto death. The resurrection victory does not usher us into comfort, but commissions us with responsibility.
For the success of this responsibility, “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” The phrase 'homothymadon' (“with one accord”) conveys a unified passion of diverse individuals focused on a singular devotion. It must be understood that this is not about organizational unity but rather a spiritual congruence. Their shared purpose emerges not from strategy or human wisdom, but from submission to Christ and His mandate.
United in 'Ginōskō'
This unity in purpose is rooted in the prophetic prayer Jesus made for us, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You." (John 17:20-21). This unity is Trinitarian in nature. Believers are drawn into divine communion, participating in the relational unity of the Father and Son, "And now, Father, glorify Me in your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began." (John 17:5). I say this is ontological unity with missional consequence.
Jesus also defines eternal life as “knowing You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The Greek verb, 'ginōskō' (to know), denotes intimate experiential knowledge. Unity in purpose, then, is not merely structural, but a relationship, grounded in a shared participation in eternal life.
United in 'Fiery Ordeal'
Again, note that unity is not preserved in comfort. Peter writes to the Church about the fiery ordeal they suffer, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal.”
The biblical term for "fiery ordeal" suggests a refining fire. Suffering as a Christian is not anomalous at all. The apostle reframes it, saying, “But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ” (1 Peter 4:13). He uses koinonia (to share), which implies fellowship. Suffering becomes a means of deeper union and fellowship with Christ. This is to say that the trial and pain of my fellow Christian brethren is also my suffering.
We can now understand that the resurrection does not eliminate suffering, it rather reinterprets it in meaning. The cross is not meant to be bypassed but to be hugged and embodied. As Romans 8:17 affirms, “we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Thus, to be “United in Purpose” is to be collectively aligned under the Lordship of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and oriented toward being a witness, even in death.
John Calvin wrote, “Where God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel.” It is evident that unity in the church is always contested by evil schemes. Unity must be well guarded and not just assumed to exist. Christianity means a formed community through Jesus Christ, living in Jesus Christ. There is no unity outside of Christ.
The early Church demonstrated this unity through prayers, faith, and determination. Their unity was not shattered by the persecution they faced, it rather sharpened them into resilience.
So what does this mean for us?
We must therefore resist the fragmentations of selfishness and return to the foundation of prayer under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It means embracing suffering with a focus on self-denial, taking our cross to walk the way of the Master (Matt. 16:24). This means that we ought to anchor our identity in the commission we have received.
Conclusion
Remember that the risen Christ did not leave behind a strategic blueprint, He rather gave us the Holy Spirit to bind us with love that cannot be broken. A people united not by the breaking of the bread and drinking from the cup of covenant, with allegiance to the faith.
And now I ask, will we remain gathered in devotion or scattered in distraction?
Because the world is not waiting for a perfect Church to lead them to Christ, but a united one. The Church united in purpose makes Christ practically known to the world.
Shalom aleikhem...
