In pondering oneness, I considered many things. I thought of myself, alone at home with a good book, music or a movie and reveling in my alone time, seeking oneness with myself. As an introvert, I need these times to recharge, especially considering I have a customer service job dealing with the public.
I also remembered times that I have been camping with friends and sitting around the campfire with the stars out, when a silence falls in the darkness. Not an awkward silence, but one filled with contentment and the joy of a time of relaxation with good friends doing something we all enjoy.
I thought of times with my wife when we are relaxing together, praying together or driving together. Basically times of contentment when we are aligned with each other and hopefully with God and His purposes together.
But one time in particular reminded me of the Oneness we are invited to with God.
We were over at Pastor John's house where he was presenting a Seder —another time of oneness where Jewish families gather to celebrate Passover. John and Laura were dressed as Opa and Oma, our Jewish grandparents. John went through each step of the Seder, teaching us about this Jewish tradition as a part of our Christian heritage. John had reached the step where we open the front door as an invitation to Elijah to join us for the Seder. John opened the door, and, instead of an empty doorway, as is what normally occurs during the Seder, our friend, Cam, stood in the doorway and waved and came in. We all laughed and continued the Seder.
In Jewish tradition, Elijah heralds the coming of the Messiah. This got me thinking. If Elijah arrives to join the Seder, does that herald the coming of the Messiah? And, if that is the case, what if Cam, in the role of Elijah, did, indeed, herald the Messiah's coming?
And I realized, that we are not waiting for the Messiah. He is already here with us! We live in His presence with His Holy Spirit in our hearts. We can feel Oneness with Him and with others throughout our daily lives. In community and in solitude.
The Last Supper was also a Passover Seder that allowed Jesus to celebrate Oneness with His apostles one last time before his suffering and ascension into Heaven.
Luke 22:14-16
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
May we consider the oneness with Jesus that is available to us today, as we reflect on his moments of extending oneness throughout history.
About the Author
Mark lives in Oregon with his lovely wife, Darla and enjoys reading, writing, playing games and working to make the world a better place. He currently serves CitySalt church as a sound engineer and on the church council.