For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. Romans 10:12

Perharps, humans rights are the most discussed and debated topic worldwide. Sinclair Ferguson, in his book Child in the Manager, wrote that “Equality is one of the big words of our time. Equal rights, equal opportunity,  equal remuneration, and of course equality of sexes. ‘Equality and justice for all’ is the slogan of our day as activists and politicians clamour for a fair and equal society'”¹

We live in a world of entitlements and ‘rights movements’ are ubiquitous. A plethora of legislation are in place by various bodies with the aim of protecting the rights of people. The most sensitive is the fight against racial discrimination. It manifests in various forms. I was born in 1978 and I grew up to witness stories of the apartheid regime of South Africa through the media; especially television and movies.

As the equal right movements rises to its crescendo, it is worth noting it is not a modern phenomenon though. Ancient civilisations encountered their own problems with racial discrimination. Even in first century Christianity for example, there was racial discrimination manifested in the upkeep of some widows: “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution”. (Acts 6:1).

‘The Hebrews against the Hellenist– Greek speaking Jews’. This shouldn’t happen among Christians you may say, but right there in the bible, we see discrimination manifested. This clearly tells us it is an age old problem and its root is sin. All humankind are image bearers of God and we ought to love one another: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26).

But as image bearers of God, do we love one another? The solution lies in the Gospel. In Christ, there is no Jew nor Greek nor Gentile nor babarian. There is no African, no European, no Asian, no American—–we are one body in Christ (see Ephesians 2:13-18). Legislation and human will may deal with the problem superficially, but the Gospel will uproot it from the heart of sinners. God is no respecter of persons. The Gospel breaks racial barriers. Jesus calls everyone — irrespective of your race or tribe or skin colour — to salvation through faith in Him. Come just as you are without one plea and He will receive you.

Behold a beautiful sight John beheld in heaven:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10).

Notes

1: Sinclair B Fegurson, Child In The Manager (2015). Reprint, Edinburgh, Truth For Life (2016) Pg 107.

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Luke records:

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Jesus’ birth was so ordinary it would not make the headlines today just as it didn’t then. Why didn’t it?  As humans, we are hardly impressed by common and ordinary things. We are moved by the spectacular. But our Saviour, the King of kings and the Lord of lords came in an unassuming fashion, “wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” With the knowledge of the humble conditions surrounding  Jesus’ birth, what would you do if Jesus came to town  this Christmas? At this time of the year when preparations are at fever pitch, it is highly possible  to miss the center of the season–Jesus Christ. It is possible to have a celebration without the chief guest.

Christmas is about Jesus and we cannot separate the celebrations from His person. That will be a contradiction. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, we must not lose sight of the significance. The celebration of Christmas can often times be about a lot of things, except for the real reason. Amidst the celebrations and fanfare, it is possible to lose the true meaning of the season. The story of Christmas is one where the King of the universe took on the form of a humble servant to rescue people who have rebelled against him, the righteous for the unrighteousness that he might bring us to God. It is a story of unfathomable grace shown to underserving people like us. It is the kind of love that transforms those who have truly experienced it into agents of love.

As we keep Christ the real reason for the season in view, we will become like him in how we love the unlovable. It was while we were still sinners that Christ died for our sins. It wasn’t because we deserved it, it was rather the opposite. This Christmas look out for the needy and the broken around you and lavish on them the love God showed you through Christ. It is very easy and tempting to love only the people who are like yourself, but don’t give in. As we celebrate the love of God through Christ, may we extend also the same love to the underprivileged amongst us.

A glimpse into the future coming Judgement, gives us a picture of what God expects of us in this season and beyond:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:31-38).

Good deeds done in the name of Jesus for the people of God are done for God. Therefore as you send out your invitation to friends and family this Christmas, make sure Jesus is invited too through reaching out to the less privileged. Our world and our churches are filled with the needy and broken, some work in the same office with us, others stay in our neighbourhoods, and others sit on the same pew in church.

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