Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Boundaries”
Our Bible verse for today: “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:38 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Jesus broke down the boundaries which separate people”
The first century Jewish world that Jesus entered into was highly structured with multiple boundaries designed to separate people. Men were superior, women less so, and children least of all. Jews esteemed themselves very highly, and everyone else was pond scum. The rich were exalted, the poor were despised, and the sick and disabled were obviously cursed.
These manmade boundaries were most prominent in the house of worship – the Temple complex. Non-Jews and half-breeds like the Samaritans could enter the outer court of the Gentiles, but a wall and guards prevented them from going any further. Jewish women and children could proceed into the next section, but that was it for them. Men could proceed into the inner courtyard, but only the priests could go any further than that into the most holy and sacred section. Menstruating women, the deformed, those with infectious diseases, and lunatics were all unclean and needed to stay outside altogether.
Into this unfair and unkind caste system Jesus came. He tore down all the divisions and the artificial manmade barriers designed to keep people segregated. Jesus touched the lepers, forgave the prostitutes, and He ate with the tax collectors. He taught that the only thing that divided people (into two distinct groups), was the forgiveness of sins. If you have repented and are forgiven, you are part of the family of God. If you have not repented, then you are on the outside looking in. That’s the only boundary that matters to God.
If you’re a Christian then you probably agree with what I just wrote – at least in theory – but how about in actual practice? If a person has placed their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins do you consider that person to be a brother or sister of yours, in full equality? Is the smelly homeless person, the struggling alcoholic, the Muslim or Hindu, welcome into your worship service? How about into your church family? How about into your home for dinner? Is the single mother with the child born out of wedlock welcome to become a fully member of your church family, in equal standing with everyone else? How about someone of a different race or one in a significantly lower income bracket?
Jesus came to destroy the manmade boundaries which separate people. The only distinction which really matters is whether you are a Christian or not. If you are, then you’re a brother or sister of mine and we have equal standing before the Lord. It is absolutely true that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. There are no barriers or boundaries separating people there.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 