Intentional Christianity: Reach Beyond Ethnic Barriers

Luke 10:25-37
Related Sunday School Lesson Family Bible Series, January 23

It is natural to love others who have similar interests and backgrounds as us. Yet it is when we encounter individuals different from us - especially those of different racial and ethnic backgrounds - that we face the real challenge of loving others unconditionally.

But God has called us to exemplify the same radical love that He has shown us and to reach beyond ethnic barriers. Jesus reveals this clearly in the Great Commandment and in the example of the Good Samaritan.

Love People Unconditionally (Luke 10:25-28)

"You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27 NAS)

The Great Commandment set forth clear priorities by which believers must live. Jesus stated that by keeping this commandment we would be fulfilling all that the law and prophets require. First we must love God completely, then compassionately.

Too often believers say they love God, yet they treat others with contempt or indifference. The Bible is clear that if we hate our brother the love of God is not in us (1 John 4:20).

God created all people and all races. Nowhere in Scripture does He designate one race as superior to another. If we are to fulfill the Great Commandment and live in obedience to our Heavenly Father, we must reach beyond ethnic barriers to show His unconditional love.

Think About It ... What person would you describe as particularly difficult to like? If you were that person how would you want to be treated?

Overcome Self-Centeredness (Luke 10:29-32)

"And who is my neighbor? ... A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest ... passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite ... passed by on the other side." (Luke 10: 29-32 NAS)

The religious leaders of Jesus' time should have set the example in showing love to others. Yet when they had an opportunity to help an injured man, they instead passed by him.

By refusing to help their neighbor these religious leaders ultimately showed their lack of love for God Himself.

It is easy for us to point fingers at the shortcomings of these religious men. But it is harder to scrutinize our own behavior. Are we willing to get involved in caring for the needs of others even when it is inconvenient, or we find the task distasteful? Or are we so busy "serving God" that we forget that one of the ways we serve Him is by serving one another?

How we respond to these questions indicates whether God truly is on the throne of our lives or whether we have in reality put ourselves on that throne.

Think About It ... How often do you spend time caring for the needs of someone who can never repay you?

Reach Beyond Barriers (Luke 10:33-37)

"But a Samaritan ... came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion ... and took care of him." (Luke 10:33-34 NAS)

A Samar-itan's heritage was a combination of Jewish and Gentile. Jewish people viewed this mixed race with scorn and derision. Yet Jesus contrasts the callousness of the two Jewish religious leaders with the kindness of the Good Samaritan. When the Samaritan saw the needs of the injured man it moved him to action. He not only ministered to the man's critical wounds, but he also carried him to a place for long-term care. The Samaritan was willing to get involved and to reach beyond barriers. He showed compassion.

Think About It .... When was the last time you reached out to someone of a different ethnic background than yourself? How might you do that this week?

In the summer of 2001 I made the first of four short-term mission trips to Uganda in East Africa. Far out into the countryside, the "bush country" of Africa, I found myself in the minority among people whose customs I did not fully understand.

When attempting to wave "hello," I learned I was actually motioning for others to come to me. (This proved frightening for some of the younger Ugandan children who had never before seen a white man.) My attempts at pronouncing words from their language were usually unsuccessful, and I was unable to join them in their worship (being rhythmically challenged) as they danced before the Lord.

On subsequent trips as I formed closer relationships with the Ugandan Christians and leaders, they confided that the color and texture of my Caucasian skin to them resembled that of a boiled pig!

Despite my best attempts at fitting in, my awkward social skills (by African standards) and physical appearance gave these Ugandan Christians reason to scorn me. (Add to this my financial inability to help them meet many of the legitimate monetary needs they have.)

And yet in the course of our ongoing five-year friendship, these precious Ugandan Christians have never failed to show me acceptance and love, and to be patient with our differences and my shortcomings.

In each of our lives, through one way or another, God brings people whose lifestyle, personality, culture or background is very different from our own. Often we see needs, yet are reluctant to get involved. But because of our love for God we must choose to reach beyond our own comfort zone and any social barriers and love our neighbor as the Bible teaches.

Biblical Truth ... Godly love reaches beyond ethnic boundaries.