But it's not striving on the part of the apostles and Thomas that brings Thomas back into the group, it's the appearance of Jesus. Jesus takes the battle for unity out of the head, and puts it into the heart and soul. Jesus reveals himself to Thomas, and gives him the reassurance of his presence, even to the point of OFFERING to let Thomas stick his finger in the wounds made by the cross. In re-establishing his relationship with Thomas, Jesus CREATES unity between Thomas and all others with whom Jesus has relationship. As John explains in our second reading, “we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” It's not about agreement, trust, or purpose; it's about being in fellowship with Jesus.
And when unity is based on heart and soul instead of head, on the common relationship believers share with Jesus, powerful things can happen! As our first reading said, “those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” Sharing at this level usually works only in the context of families, and yet the first disciples were unified enough to pull it off. And as our first reading also said, “with great power, the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” Effective evangelizing, occurring as a result of the “miracle” of unity.
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” And how much more joy there is, when the unity is based on heart and soul, on our relationship with Jesus. We will have many opportunities in the years ahead, as a congregation and as a synod and as a national church, to strive for greater unity based on purpose, trust, and agreement, because it's in fashion and it sometimes FEELS more like progress. But our aim should always be to strengthen our individual and collective relationships with Jesus, because then the unity of heart and soul...the unity of kindred...will be automatic.
Gracious God, we thank you for the experience of living together in unity. Preserve us in the unity of your Son, and guide us to be the church you need us to be, in Jesus' name.