What I love about Jesus is that He left no stone unturned when it comes to human relationships. In our world, many ethnic groups dislike one another. We call it racism. However, according to the standards of the Kingdom of God, it is called unneighborly. Jesus gave His disciples an example of how His followers must react toward all people groups.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, a lawyer asked Jesus who should be considered his brother? Jesus replied to the lawyer with the following answer.
“But he [the lawyer],
desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"
“Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among
robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.”
“Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other
side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him,
passed by on the other side.”
“But a Samaritan, as
he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He
went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him
on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and
gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you
spend, I will repay you when I come back.'”
“Which of these
three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the
robbers?"
“He [the lawyer] said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him,
"You go, and do likewise."
The Samaritans were a
mixed-race people group who worshipped idol gods,
using some of the rituals in the Laws of Moses.
In modern times, we must substitute
the lawyer, priest, and Levite (or temple assistant) with similar people in our
racial culture. If we are followers of Jesus, we must let the Lord deal with
our hearts when we encounter those who are different from us.
Let us put ourselves in this parable
using modern language.
“Jesus replied,
'A man [your race] was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he
fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him
half dead.”
“Now by chance a priest
[your race] was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on
the other side. So likewise, a Levite [your race], when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”
“But a Samaritan [from
a disliked race], as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw
him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil
and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took
care of him. And the next day he took
out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and
whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'”
“Which of these
three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the
robbers?"
“He [the lawyer]
said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him,
"You go, and do likewise."
Paul wrote to the Colossians that
there is no distinction between racial groups or social status with Jesus.
Colossians 3:10-12 NLT (emphasis added)
“Put on your new nature and be renewed
as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.”
“In this new life, it doesn't matter if
you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric,
uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of
us.
“Since God chose you to be the holy
people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience...”
Are you willing to let go of your traditional dislike of another race to be a son or daughter of God? You must choose wisely because the consequences will cost you eternal life with Lord. The goal of every follower of Jesus is to become like Him and have His kind of mind. We must learn to become like our Creator and Holy Father.
Please
do not harbor dislike or unforgiveness in your heart toward people (individuals
or groups) who are different from you or have done nothing to you directly. If someone has harmed you, you must forgive them, pray for them, and love them through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You can boldly ask the Lord to help you love people or someone different from you and who may be your enemy. He is faithful to give you the strength to overcome your inhibitions. His perspective will revolutionize your heart, soul, and mind toward others.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."