“1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7for he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6:1-7 (NASB)
“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world: red, brown, yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” As the well-known Christian children’s song declares, Jesus indeed loves the children of the entire world. Yet, in a political climate that seems so polarized by race, this statement may seem difficult for some. The words of Jesus may even seem ridiculous to others. Yet, Jesus proved time and time again that He did not just come for one race or one people group, but indeed for all the world (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10).
Take for example the account of Jesus speaking with the woman at the well (John 4:1-45). While returning to Galilee, Jesus and His disciples passed through Samaria. While in the Samaritan town of Sychar, Jesus shocked His disciples by chatting with a woman with a scandalous past (and present). He had also shocked the woman herself, who knowing that Jews did not speak to “half-breeds” (Jews in these cities had been forced to intermarry with those of the Assyrian empire…and thus, were now only half-Jews). Yet, Jesus blew this clear out of the proverbial water by not only greeting the woman, but asking her for a drink. In doing so, it opened up a genuine conversation that resulted in Jesus exposing her choices of living with a man that was not her husband and the fact that the woman had five previous husbands. Jesus then shared with her that He was the Messiah (John 4:25-26). And as a result of the disciples walking back from getting food in town to witness this exchange, they were forever changed.
“ 39From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41Many more believed because of His word; 42and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:39-42 (NASB)
Jesus always valued people over protocol and even perceived importance of function and age. Jesus strongly corrected His disciples who were trying to keep people with their little children from getting near to Jesus for Him to bless their children. The disciples just didn’t get it. They missed the point that Jesus saw value in the heart; not in the outward appearance of success and being worthy of being seen only once an adult. No, Jesus loved young and old the same; perfectly and with warm blessing.
“13And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16 (NASB)
I remember being in Norfolk, Virginia as the race riots were taking place in 2017 around the country, but most notably, the terrible tragedy of Charlottesville, Virginia. I remember vividly the staff, whom had become our friends, being terrified of bodily harm to their bus due to the riots—simply because they were African American. I will never forget praying alongside our children with these amazing women in Jesus’ name and offering for my children and I to drive them to their homes after they had been given the day off from cleaning on-base hotels by their employer due to the lethal tone of riots at that time. These ladies, specifically one, could not believe that we would care about their well being—we were white, after all. I could not believe that they would assume that we would not care—they each possessed dignity, value and eternal worth no matter what the color of their hair, fingernails or skin. The bottom line…and every line above it…all are valuable in the sight of Almighty God and ALL are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). If we are not actively teaching our children these truths, we are cheapening their impact for the Gospel of Jesus Christ—for those of any given cultural heritage will only be able to experience the time and attention we are willing to invest in them.
Thus, may we teach our children to LOVE DEEPLY in Jesus’ name for we are all of one race…the race of ADAM…that being marred by SIN. And no matter what shade or variation of rebellion against God we paint atop our sinful souls, we all come from the same root of Adam (Genesis 3 & Romans 3:23). And where there is sin, the Bible is very clear to state, death will always follow (Genesis 5 & Romans 6:26).
But!!! PRAISE GOD ALMIGHTY, regardless of what each of us have done—there is forgiveness and a fresh start offered to all through Jesus Christ the Risen Lord (Isaiah 53:5)! May we love intentional—engage cross-culturally with purpose—and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people as the Lord Jesus Christ instructed us.
Blooming Beauty 