Disagreeing Without Dividing – Tuesday
Week 3 | Been There
Listen instead of reading
Take a Moment
Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today
Read The Daily
Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew -the tax collector, James -son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon -the zealot, (Matthew 10:3-4)
I love CNN News! Some of you instantly became so happy reading that, but others are ready to click unsubscribe. Ok…let’s try this. I love Fox News! Better?
It’s easy to think that the world has become more divided than ever, making it hard to live as unoffendable people. But there have always been reasons to take offense, and Jesus’ disciples were no exception. Jesus chose 12 disciples from wildly different backgrounds, professions, and political views, and they loved one another. Sure, they had their disagreements—like when they argued about who would be the greatest or most important—but they stayed unified around their mission despite their differing opinions. Matthew even points this out when he describes Jesus calling His disciples. He makes sure to note his own occupation—tax collector—and calls Simon “the Zealot.”
Simon, as a Zealot, would have been part of a group that desperately wanted to overthrow the Roman government. Meanwhile, Matthew worked for the government. Republicans vs. Democrats anyone? Despite those very different positions, these men were friends. They served together. They ate together. They did life together. We can learn from their example. We don’t have to agree on everything to be loving. And choosing to put aside our differences allows us to make a difference. We can all disagree in love and still not be divided. Jesus’ early followers did!
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Matthew 1:18-25 & 2 Corinthians 12:1-10