The media and political pundits have polarized the United States into Red states (Republican party) and Blue states (Democratic party). These designations have labeled entire communities and are weaponized by each party to demonize the other. Is it accurate? Like all sweeping statements and generalizations, the truth is grossly distorted. There is diversity in every state and even amongst individual voters, there are some shared common values. Yet the pundits insist on applying labels that foment strife instead of fostering understanding of differing opinions. Was there ever a time when mankind was united in a common belief?
And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.
Acts 2:8-11 (ESV)
Read these verses once again, but this time, substitute your own city, state, or country. Californians, Missourians, and Floridians. Don’t stop there! What about political parties? Democrats and Republicans. What about religions? Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. The list is as endless as the diversity of this world, and that is the point.
On the day of Pentecost, nearly two thousand years ago, several million Jews and other visitors made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover. In the most unexpected manifestation of God’s power, His Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and empowered them to speak in an unknown tongue. Miraculously each visitor to Jerusalem clearly heard the Word of God in their own native tongue. It was a powerful sign that God had intervened.
This was as diverse a gathering of people and different cultures that one would ever see at that time in the history of the world and God chose this setting to first demonstrate the power and promise of the Holy Spirit by empowering the Apostles of Jesus Christ to declare the mighty works of God, as manifested by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In this hyperpolarized time when so many are willing to assign a label to different groups of peoples and cultures, I can take solace in the hope that one day, all people will be unified and worshipping God. Jesus Christ will return to earth as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. On that day, God’s glorious Kingdom will begin on this earth and all of mankind will be united as one. The promise of Pentecost will become a reality.
No more red state or blue state, only the state of God.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 