All around us are people who don’t fit the pattern of what we see or think qualifies as “normal people”. Perhaps it is their style of dress, their manner of speech, their conduct or their values. They might not fit into the rules that we have set forth, rules that guide in how we are to function. Well, we’d make a good Pharisee, for this is how they treated Jesus. “Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. (John 9:16 NKJV)”. There were rules and guidelines. “You can’t do it this way, especially not on a Sunday!” “You’re a sinner therefore God could not work through you!”
Often we dismiss people because they are sinners or their conduct is out of line. Some might argue that though people thought Jesus was sinful, He actually was perfect, and there is a huge difference between ignoring Jesus and avoiding or ignoring sinful people. Yet Jesus said that what we do to one of these least we’ve done it unto Him (Matt 25:40). Ouch, we are back to our rejection of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I don’t want to reject or dismiss You. Help me not to dismiss others that are different or that don’t quite fitting the expectations that I have.
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