Have you ever known a “wallflower”...someone who was unaccepted because they were quiet or reserved? What about having members of our family whom we have had to accept because they’re in the “bloodline”, but their ways made them “different”, out of the “norm”? Especially when we were younger, in our teens and twenties, we thought them to be weird, out of step, and so we made fun of them, avoided them, castigated them because they were not one of “us”. We never gave it a second thought as to who the “we” and the “us” were, or what exactly classified the “norm”. We just assumed since “we” defined the terms, those who didn’t meet the qualifications were not included. They were not of “us”. They didn’t fit.
Now, having read the above, with which group do you identify? The “we” or “us” group, the ones who called the outsiders “weird, etc.”? Or were you among those of the ostracized, the ones who never quite fit in because of definitions you didn’t draw up since you weren’t part of the “in” group?
It’s amazing what deep-seated feelings these two paragraphs can unleash. The “we” group will quickly rise to the defense, staking out their claim of necessity for control in the best interest for everyone involved. After all, they are in the business of preserving things for the benefit not only for themselves but also for the like-minded of generations to come. As well for the “outsiders”, they only wanted a place at the table, a voice to be heard, just to be accepted as they are. They may not measure up to the expectations of the “we” and the “us”, but that doesn’t make them any less in the eyes of God.
As you are reading this, you may wonder to yourself, “Where is he going with this?” In my usual way, there is “method to my madness”, so bear with me a little while longer.
Contrary to what many of us think, Christianity entered into this world as an outsider. Our faith and its founder were not part of the “we” nor the “us”. Jesus was considered to be very much out of the “norm” in His actions, ways and teachings. Indeed, His own family thought He was out of His mind (rf. Mark 3:20-21). Jesus was known as a “winebibber” and a friend to prostitutes (rf. Matthew 11:19). Talk about bad press! Yet, notice those who were the “we”/ “us” crowd, those who established the “norm” in Jesus’ day, were the Pharisees and other religious leaders, the very ones who had Jesus put to death because He was a threat to their way of life!
Jesus Christ was the ultimate “outsider”. Christianity was never designed to be a “we”/ “us” clique or club, but rather the faith that draws people unto itself because of the unconditional love of its Originator. Never should we be found following in the footsteps of the Pharisees and the like, trying to establish measures of control over who can and cannot be allowed into the kingdom by virtue of our fellowship. The matter of “acceptance in the Beloved” is the arena of God not us. He has called us simply to express the love of Christ to all, sharing His truth to all, extending His invitation to all, so that no one feels like an “outsider” when it comes to Christ. If they turn away from His invitation, if they refuse “so great a salvation”, then the reason for their damnation lies at their own door. It will not be because the people of God have set themselves apart as “we” and “us”. Neither will it be because His Church failed in Her mission to send forth the good news that sinners of all kinds in all places can come to a Savior whose blood can make them clean and whole.
