Tuesday, January 22, 2008

NEIGHBORS: Silent discrimination!

"Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"
Luke 10:36
Listening to BreakPoint a couple of years ago, I heard Chuck Colson tell a story concerning the membership of a Florida church. Colson had been in the church when the pastor asked, “Do you remember the day the Brown family joined the church?” Many “amens” were heard among the people. The pastor continued, “Wasn’t that a great day for our church? (More amens.) He continued. “What with their financial support, their participation, and their children, it was a good day!”

Then he asked, “Do you remember the other person that joined our church that day?” No one could; they blankly looked at each another. “His name was (insert name)! He joined the same morning as the Browns. We all got busy and put the Browns to work. I visited them! They’ve even become close friends. But we lost track of young (insert name)!”

The pastor then held up a newspaper with a picture of someone on the front page. “This is what has happened to young (insert name); he was arrested for murder last Wednesday.”

The story of King David’s treatment of Mephibosheth is classic and useful for understanding the treatment of others. David set aside all that would differentiate himself from Saul’s only heir. It is imperative we notice Mephiboseth’s demeanor.

To those who humble themselves before Him, to those who acknowledge their Master’s sovereignty, and commit themselves to His rule, He returns their forfeited inheritance, restores their pedigree, and provides that they should dine at His table with Him, not as one to be pitied, but rather as a member of the King’s family!

Who are we then to decide that these are somehow unworthy of our time and attention?

No comments:

 
, , ,