Jesus and Favoritism

Often I find that I have a heart to reach out to the marginalised, isolated or people that appear ostracised, the misfit, socially excluded, the outcast and those who appear to be on the outside looking in. 

They remind me of the lepers in biblical times, they were rejected, and had to declare that they were unclean and dress accordingly, living out of the camp, separated from family or normal life, certainly not free to participate in society, forever keeping a distance. Viewed with disgust and disdain, fear and suspicion, sinfulness was assumed and condemnation was their portion. 

Have you ever felt rejected, secluded or marginalised, separated, like you were on the outside looking in, longing to be included and accepted? 

Sometime later lepers had to carry a bell to announce their presence, everyone knew you were unacceptable. 

I too have felt like I had a similar condition and isolated from mainstream acceptable society, like I have a warning sign of my sinful nature is apparent to others. Or at least be avoided at all costs, restricted to small talk, not fully accepted. It sometimes feels like this, that minimising contact (with me) keeps them safe from the influence of my condition (lack of job, addiction or sexuality) 

That would obviously explain why my heart is soft towards those who are marginalised for various reasons. I guess that lepers had some valid reason to be avoided due to the associated risks, but in the book of James we find this scripture. 

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:1‭-‬4 NIV

What if the discrimination was not limited to the social standing, rather the fact that he wasn't like minded or different to me, an outsider, new, unknown or untested. Someone that seemed to not understand the culture, withdrawn etc. Maybe someone who was perhaps unclean in someway, a sinner, an adulterer, drug addict, alcoholic, tattooed, homosexual etc, does that justify my choice keep my distance and not welcome them as I would those who appear more like myself? 

Thankfully Jesus is our model in this regard, not only does he speak to the leper, he in compassion reaches out and touched him. Then told him to show himself to the priest, so that the priest would declare him clean and this restore his status and dignity within society again. Making him acceptable. 

Jesus redeems all of us, in full, spirit, soul and body. If we want to follow Jesus, we should be mindful of the marginalised, isolated, lonely, unlovely outsiders and make a genuine effort to welcome them home. 

Think of the extravagant welcome the Father gives the son who returns home, reeking of pigs, sinfulness and debauchery etc. If our Father welcomes these with a kiss, ring, robe, shoes and the fattened calf, who are we to stand aloof like the older brother (who was just as lost and needy) as the young brother. I don't want to be like that older brother in this case, rather l desire to reflect the Father's heart.