United AND Unique

We humans have a hard time with liberty and unity. Of course, this very reality is an invitation from our loving God to confront both spiritual wisdom and remedy IF we have the courage.

“E Pluribus Unum” Out of the Many – One. This is the motto of the United States of America, a republic founded in 1776 after a war of Independence from the British Empire. Of course, in the last several years, the story of our republic's founding has come under fire by those who “want to change the narrative” of its beginning. They argue that “really, the Revolution was fought to perpetuate slavery and white privilege.”

The stark reality is that the US really shapes, to one degree or the other, the mindset of the whole world. That’s why how we talk about our history matters. I even saw recently children in Uganda reenacting the attempted assassination of a former American president! So, how we talk ripples across the world.

There are nuanced and honest ways to see how this nation has always worked for a “more perfect union” with stumbles, mistakes, injustices, victories, courage, and hope for the whole world. But the notion that there could be a place where all people, regardless of their “tribe” or “status,” could live as a united nation is solidly founded on the vision of God for humanity. Just read John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ and look into heaven where “out of every kindred, tribe, and tongue,” all the people are united to adore the Risen Lord of Glory. Notice that they don’t meld into an anonymous glob of humanity. They retain their unique personhood but also become one. Our theology of humanity flows from our theory about the Trinity.

Look at our lesson today in Matthew 12:14-16; 22-30:

At that time, the Pharisees took counsel against Jesus, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known.

Then a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him, and he healed him so that the dumb man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand; and if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”

The jealous religious leaders of Jesus’ day were desperate to discredit Him in the eyes of the people. But that’s what self-serving leaders always do. They desire control over the population because the population outnumbers them 1000 to 1. They know if they lose control, they will lose everything. And they love being in charge.

So, these short-sighted leaders insisted that the great authority Jesus displayed by setting people free from demonic control was actually a “trick” of the Devil to confuse the people and draw them away from their “wonderful” leaders.

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and He confronted these men with their shallow hypocrisy. He also revealed why they were so desperate to defend their “status quo.” Watch closely.

Jesus tells them a kingdom divided against itself will destroy itself. And that;’s always true. A nation that is increasingly divided is in real trouble. When the constant communication is “us vs. them” this is a symptom of the fear of the leaders in losing control; it is a symptom of a people forgetting the “Why” of their nation. It reveals the desperation of the provocateurs that they are trying to destroy so they can gain power. And it’s a dangerous time. So, if the Devil is casting out the Devil, like the enemies of Jesus are suggesting, then the Devil’s kingdom is crumbling. Makes no sense.

BUT, if God’s power is being displayed in crushing the devil's power in people’s lives, then the Kingdom of God has actually come among them, and they better pay attention to this Man who has authority over demons, nature, and even death itself! The Lord offers them a clear invitation, and He offers that same invitation to us today: You’re either for Him or against Him. There is no neutral territory.

The Lord again confronts the spiritual blindness of His day and our day. He offers us true freedom from the bondage of the fear of death and invites us to see our unity, not in our customs, cultures, or language, but in our fidelity to Him. He makes us a “new nation” made up of everyone invited to the Kingdom of God.

St. Ezekiel (his name means “God is strong”) served God as a prophet to the people of God almost 600 years before Christ. He was a prophet when Israel fell into Babylonian captivity, and he preached to the people that they had to abandon their disregard for God’s wisdom if they expected God’s blessings and favor. His Book of Ezekiel is ranked as one of the most important texts for our Faith. He was a fearless preacher of truth in a time when even the people of God decided to “compromise” with the pagans around them in worshipping many different gods. After all, one’s as good as the other, according to those who so easily forget wisdom. Because of his strong preaching, he was murdered by men of one of the tribes of Israel he was called to serve.

Today, Jesus makes it clear to the people of His day and to us right here. There are two kingdoms – the kingdom of selfish slavery and the Kingdom of God. Only two. And our peace and unity and humanity's highest aspirations are only found in the Kingdom of God. That is the only place of true unity, peace, justice, and love. All other lesser “kingdoms” always disappoint and fail. So, if you were to take inventory of your own life, your decisions, and your day-to-day routines, do they reveal your citizenship in God’s Kingdom or the always unstable kingdom of yourself? Are you reorienting your life daily so that you can live in the true “land of the free and the home of the brave?” That’s the only way to know a Normal Orthodox life.

P.S. Enlightened by the Spirit, your pure heart became the dwelling place of most splendid prophecy; for you saw things far off as if they were near. Therefore, we honor you, blessed and glorious Prophet Ezekiel.

Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack.