Humans seem compelled to create...
Illustration
Humans seem compelled to create "out-groups." It's not enough to be part of a group. We
then define others as, well, "others." Religions do it, too. Jesus, however, actively and
habitually seeks out-group people. He spends time with lepers, the ritually unclean,
mentally and physically ill, tax collectors, demon possessed, women, children, non-Jews,
and the broadest out-group dubbed, generally, "sinners." He eats with them!
On the night of his arrest he indicates that his entire ministry moves toward "others," those not yet in the fold of God's care. People we don't like or don't want as friends are Jesus' "others." In school they can be geeks or nerds, jocks or princesses. They can be people of different color or ethnic origin.
They are especially those upon whom we etch the word "enemies." Among the many motives involved in killing Jesus was his insisting that we can't have enemies, but must love "others" to become our friends.
On the night of his arrest he indicates that his entire ministry moves toward "others," those not yet in the fold of God's care. People we don't like or don't want as friends are Jesus' "others." In school they can be geeks or nerds, jocks or princesses. They can be people of different color or ethnic origin.
They are especially those upon whom we etch the word "enemies." Among the many motives involved in killing Jesus was his insisting that we can't have enemies, but must love "others" to become our friends.
