In our society we put up a lot of fences. Fences of prejudices and lies. Of animosity, discrimination and preconception. That’s what we’re good at. We are masters in ostracizing other people. We know how to segregate and differentiate. We actually somehow love to discriminate. Isn’t it crazy how quickly we think- though unconsciously- we are something better?
Those fences stand like walls in the middle of our society, dividing people of different nations, religions, beliefs, ethnical backgrounds, cultures and languages. Our faith is supposed to knock down the walls. Jesus showed us how it works. He called unqualified people to be his disciples. He talked to a woman of another ethnical background. He healed sinners. He sat at one table with drunkards and betrayers. He helped the weak. He restored the broken. He cured a foreign woman.
The Bible makes clear that there is no space for fences within God’s kingdom. God hates fences- whether within our society or within our churches. We are called to unity- in church and society.
That’s what Jesus mandates us to do:
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” –John 7:24-
Jesus didn’t differentiate. He didn’t concern about ethnical background, skin colour or cultural origion. What was important to the world didn’t matter to him. He was only concerned about loving the people- children or adults, black or white, rich or poor.
When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.
Looking at the example Jesus has given us we can overcome discrimination, jump over our fences of animosity and burry our prejudices. And then we get the chance to see the world like Jesus did. Cause there’s only one category of people: gifted sinners.
Today, let’s take a look beyond the fence.
What do we see?
