4. One Shepherd, one flock
Today there are more than 22,000 different churches in the world. Unfortunately, all these tongues, teachings, experiences and liturgies do not give the impression of a unified Christianity. However, the lack of unity in external structure cannot challenge the spiritual unity of Jesus' followers. No pilgrimage to the empty tomb of Christ is needed to unite millions of believers. The voice of the good Shepherd animates and unites them all. The testimony of His Holy Spirit runs deep in the heart of His followers. They have received His anointing and eternal life. They remain unified as the spiritual body of Christ. Wherever they meet and get to know each other, exchanging their experiences with God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the bliss of the love of Christ shines from their eyes. His peace becomes a visible reality, by which forgiveness, patience and loyalty overcome even the most unbridgeable barriers separating nations and families.
In any event, with the second coming of Christ it will become evident that His promise has been ulfilled: "There will be one Shepherd and one herd" (John. 10:16). This promise will unite Jewish followers of Jesus and Christians from all nations into a faithful community (Ephesians 2:11-22). Then everything Jesus, our High Priest, has been asking for us from His Father, will be fulfilled in a way that surpasses all human understanding:
JOHN 17:21-23
21 ..., that they will all be one, As thou, Father, art in Me and I am in You, so also they shall be one in Us, so that the world may believe, that You have sent Me. 22 And I have given them the glory that You have given to Me, that they may be one, as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me. That they all may be one and the world will recognize, that You have sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.