September 19, 2023
Source: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2023-09-19
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” - John 1:43 (NIV)
By
Stephen Bendit (Colorado, USA)
Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I attended a lot of different churches.
Looking back, I see how every church that my dad served was distinct. The congregations, services, outreach programs, church camps, Bible studies, and songs were similar, but also different. All congregations worshiped God, but I was amazed at the many different ways of praising and serving God.
Jesus loves diversity! When he chose the 12 disciples, he picked people with different personalities, abilities, and professions: fishermen, a tax collector, Zealots.
Jesus’ closest non-disciple friends and companions were also quite a diverse bunch with different backgrounds and beliefs. But with these many different points of view and backgrounds, all that Jesus requested of them was to “follow me!”
Today’s Christians are also a diverse group with different nationalities, professions, languages, cultures, denominations, and worship traditions. The companions of Jesus clearly show that he loved diversity! As we answer Jesus’ call, “Follow me,” we can find our common faith within our diversity.
TODAY'S READING
Luke 6:12-16
12 During that time, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night long. 13 At daybreak, he called together his disciples. He chose twelve of them whom he called apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter; his brother Andrew; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; 15 Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called a zealot; 16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
To see God in the diversity of humankind
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