When I listen to the news, I am filled with sadness and anxiety. There is too much name-calling, harassment and bullying. There is too much violence, anger and hatred. As a follower of Jesus, what should I do? Jesus answers that question over and over again: “Love God and love others.” This is so simple, but it has such a profound meaning.
In John 4, Jesus shows us the way to live and how that life can impact others (John 4:1-41). Jesus reaches out to a Samaritan woman at a well, changing her life and the lives of many in her village. Jesus’ culture taught that Samaritans should be despised and hated and that women should be considered second-class. But Jesus shows us that God’s way is to love and cherish those whom others consider unclean, unworthy, or worthless. As the great 20th century Christian theologian Howard Thurman wrote: “Jesus rejected hatred because he knew that hatred means death of the heart, death of the spirit, and death of fellowship with the Father. Jesus was life-affirming, and hatred was the great negation.”
Too often in our culture we fail to affirm the sacred and precious gift of life that God has given to the world. As followers of Christ, we should seek out and care for those who are despised, scorned, and bullied. Instead of tearing people down, we should reach out with God’s gift of love and respect. Are we choosing to reach out and making the effort to do so? It was exciting to watch the recent Olympics where athletes from all over the world came together in peace. Sure, they were trying to win, but we also saw many grow in respect and understanding for one another.
Closer to home, our community is privileged to host Little League players from all over the world. As I watch these young people, I am so touched by the friendship they share with one another. It seems to me that our Little League players are better at loving and accepting one another than those of us who claim to follow Jesus.
A strong and loving Christian friend shared these words with me, and while they are not his direct words, they should serve to guide the path of all who follow Jesus: The mission of the church is to put into practice the teachings of Jesus. “Enemy? Love. Violence? Abandon. Money? Share. Foreigner? Welcome. Sinner? Forgive.”
These are difficult patterns to live by, but Jesus Christ will give us the strength and wisdom if we choose to put Him first in our lives. “Follow in his footsteps.”
Stories like the Samaritan woman, the Good Samaritan, the woman caught in adultery, the repentance of Zacchaeus, and the healing of the Roman official’s son all reflect Jesus’ principles above. These should be our principles too.
“Love one another, just as I have loved you” Jesus said (John 15:12b ESV), and let us do just that!
The Rev. Bob Wallace, retired United Methodist pastor
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