In the
Star Wars trilogy there’s a scene that reminds me of some church people I know.
At an establishment somewhere in a remote corner of the galaxy,
grotesque-looking creatures socialize over food and music. When Luke Skywalker
enters with his two droids, C3PO and R2D2 (who are more “normal” than anyone else
there), he is surprisingly turned away with a curt rebuff: “We don’t serve
their kind here!”
That
strange scene captures the malady that we all struggle with in our
relationships here on planet Earth. We are always more comfortable with people
who are just like us. But think of where you would be if Jesus had felt that
way. He was divine, perfect in every way, which makes Him far different from
us. Yet He came to dwell among us and to die for us.
Those of
us who follow Christ shouldn’t have “they’re not my kind” in our vocabulary. As
Paul reminds us, in Him “there is neither Jew nor Greek, . . . slave nor free,
. . . male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). So,
whether others are different in attitude, perspective, race, class, political
slant, or social standing, it should make no difference to those of us who call
ourselves by Jesus’ name.
Find
someone who is not your kind and share Jesus’ love with them today!
Love your
neighbor— even if they aren’t your kind! (RBC)
