In Christ There Is No East or West (ELW 650)
Devotion
1In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
2In Christ shall true hearts ev'rywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
3Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
4In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
Text: John Oxenham, 1852-1941, alt.
Jesus is risen!—Now what? Now—unity.
A quick glance at our world suggests this hymn's lyrics are more aspirational than factual: the hymn describes what could be, more than what is. Depending on how you count them, there are more than 30,000 Christian denominations. It doesn't take much poking around to find a disagreement or two—to put it mildly. "One great fellowship of love" is maybe not the most accurate description of the estimated 2.2 billion Jesus-followers in the world!
But that is exactly why this hymn is helpful. The words remind us of what we strive to be, of the aim of our work and prayers. Unity may not be a reality now, but in Christ it's surely coming. In Christ our hearts find "their high communion" and we are reminded that "all children of the living God are surely kin to me." How will you look at your neighbors differently, knowing they are kin? Jesus is risen!—Now what? Now—unity.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, your resurrection assures us that unity is possible. Give us your vision of all your followers united in service to you and to our neighbors. Amen.