One of the great ironies of life in this age is that words like “unity” and “love” and “acceptance” have never been more revered, not have they ever been less understood. People of this age claim a deep desire for harmony. We worship “acceptance” with a near-religious zeal, and we burn heretics who blaspheme that perfect ideal. But a great hypocrisy lies just below the surface of this culture vision of unity. Our culture accepts everyone, as long as everyone thinks like them. They love all people who fit their standard of being lovely. They claim a thirst of unity, but they choose those worthy of that honor with a tribal-like mentality.

Jesus was both a uniter and a divider. On one hand, He understood that His exclusive message – “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” – would separate people from Him. (To be clear, those people separate themselves!) Jesus spoke those words with strength. He came on a rescue mission, but those who refuse to be rescued will perish.

On the other hand, Jesus introduced a vision of unity beyond what anyone in His day could grasp. He came to His own (the Jews), but as He ministered to them He dropped hints like the one in this passage: I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.

I am one of those other sheep from a different fold.  We are found all over the globe, in every nation. We speak different languages. Our skin comes in different shades. We listen to different music and live in different-type houses and work different-type jobs – but we have this great commonality – we follow Jesus Christ. There is one flock. One shepherd.

That’s a unity that will last, and it is open to every, single person on earth. You aren’t born into this family, but you are adopted into it. If you hear the voice of the Shepherd, respond!