December 3, 2014

Jesus was not white or black. If anything Jesus in his humanity was Hebrew. He was a Jewish man from Nazareth born in a manger in Bethlehem. God chose to take on human form thousands of years ago and one of the reasons was to begin to dismantle the prideful issue of racism. Yet today we see people rioting and looting and at the bottom of those actions and at the root of many of the critiques of those actions we find racism.

The term racism is not new. The dictionary defines it as “a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.” Or simply put “hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.”

It is clear from reading history that God’s choosing of Israel as “His people” led many Hebrews to think that they were “better” than others around them and in the process became intolerant of others. Yet the roots of racism and intolerance trace back to humanity’s sin against God.

Recently with tensions still high in Ferguson, Mo. and other parts of the country, one man’s comments went as they say “viral.” And I am glad they did. Benjamin Watson, a tight end football player for the New Orleans Saints, said this in his reflection about the situation in Ferguson:

“I’m encouraged, because ultimately the problem is not a skin problem, it is a sin problem. Sin is the reason we rebel against authority. Sin is the reason we abuse our authority. Sin is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. Sin is the reason we riot, loot and burn.

“But I’m encouraged because God has provided a solution for sin through his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that’s capable of looking past the outward and seeing what’s truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It’s the Gospel. So, finally, I’m encouraged because the Gospel gives mankind hope.”

If you want you can stop reading here because Mr. Watson said what many true Christians had on their minds as people reacted to the Grand Jury’s decision in Ferguson. But if you allow me let me elaborate a little more on Mr. Watson’s comments.

With 21 days until Christmas some might say that I should be writing about Advent versus race but as I stated earlier Jesus came to save us. Part of the salvation plan is restoring God’s design of there being only one race, the Human race.

We all know the story of the Good Samaritan. Yet many miss the reason why Jesus shared that parable. Take a look at what the beginning of the story says in Luke 10:25-29,:

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

This expert of the law was asking who his neighbor is, because it appeared Jesus was reaching out to everyone not just Jews. In those days many Jews regarded their “neighbors” as anyone that was Jewish according to their interpretation of Leviticus 19:18. Yet Jesus goes on to share the story of the good Samaritan to show that one’s “neighbor” was anyone including the Samaritan man.

There was much animosity and hostility between Jews and Samaritans in those days. What Jesus was trying to communicate was that part of inheriting eternal life was the living a life in which one not only loved God but loved those who your own culture, skin color, and even religion said you should hate and be racist against.

Jesus came that in him there might not be any more divisions. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”- (Galatians 3:28) For Jesus is “our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16)

As we celebrate Christmas this month let us remember that Jesus came that we may have peace. Christmas is about giving to others; giving not just to our loved ones but to our neighbors. As Jesus told the expert of the Law in the Good Samaritan parable:

“Which of these three [Priest or Levi who both walked away, or the Samaritan who helped] do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)