8. In what ways does the cross of Christ enable unity?

As we look to the cross—all that suffering, loving, dying—the divisions, factions, and infighting that may have consumed us fades. We long to love others as Jesus does and we recognize our complete inability to always show unselfishness without being rooted in the Vine. JTL24 10.1

At the cross, we realize Jesus did not die for us alone, but for every person on earth, regardless of race, nationality, color, caste, or belief system. Before we come to the cross, we may not see our conscious or unconscious bias and prejudice toward people groups unlike our own. The cross breaks through human blindness and puts God’s price tag on human beings. The cross reminds us that Jesus would have died for our worst enemy. None are worthless; all are wanted. If Christ loves them, He will enable us to love them. JTL24 10.2

Jesus knew that His crucifixion would draw all to Him. If we respond to that magnetic power, it will empower us to see value in every individual and seek to help as many as possible. He bore the sin-burden for all humankind, which crushed out His life, so He could give us new life in Him. All division breaks down at the foot of Christ’s cross. JTL24 10.3