From “Other” to “Brother”
Ephesians 2: 12-13 “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Have you ever studied a “What is the difference” picture? I love these puzzles where you look at two pictures and try to find the subtle differences in each. It is amazing how hard you have to look to notice some of the smallest changes.
When it comes to each other however, we often do not have to look so hard to notice the differences rather than the similarities. As humans, we share 99.9% the same DNA. This means that we are virtually the same. However, many focus on the .1% difference and make it a barrier.
Jesus came to make us one family and to dismantle barriers. Today, racial issues continue to make the news. Just last week all Starbucks stores closed for training on racial equality. A popular TV show was cancelled because of racially charged comments. And controversy over African-American athletes kneeling during the national anthem has continued.
In Ephesians 2, Paul is speaking to followers of Jesus who were Jew and Gentile and reminding them that they are one in Christ. The cross destroyed the racial, political, and economic barrier of Paul’s time and it does the same today.
How about you? Are you more focused on the differences between you and others than the similarities? How can you take a step today to bridge a gap between you and others? Take a few minutes to read and reflect on Ephesians 2 and think about how you can move someone today from an “other” to a “brother.”
God Bless,
Mike