"The cure for an exclusive church is an extending church."
–Jonathan Bauer, pastor
Divisions run deep. And there are all kinds of ways you might divide yourself from other categories of people.
Unfortunately, this is even true of some churches. Some churches see a divide between themselves, the “religious” and “pious,” and others. Whether purposefully or not, they see their church as an exclusive club.
This was even more true in Jesus’ time. Most Jewish people saw a gaping chasm between themselves and Gentiles (everyone who wasn’t a Jew). But Jesus came to change that.
He closed that divide, and the need for all divisions between humans today. He didn’t do it by erasing the characteristics of cultures that make us unique. Instead, he brought people who were once far apart from each other closer together by enabling all people to come close to God. There is no exclusivity; God has extended his peace to every single human, no matter their differences.
In Jesus, God extends his peace to us by bringing us near to him. And when we are near to God, we can’t focus primarily on what divides us. Because the most important thing by far is what we have in common—peace with God—we can humbly appreciate the ways that we are different from others without dividing.
Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
–Ephesians 2:17,18
For meditation:
How can I seek to understand someone who is different from me this week?
For prayer:
Dear Lord, there was once a deep division between you and me. You are perfect, and I am not. Thank you for giving me your perfection so that I can be at peace with you. In your name I pray, amen.
