“Don’t we all come from one Father? Aren’t we all created by the same God? So why can’t we get along? Why do we desecrate the covenant of our ancestors that binds us together?”
Malachi 2:10 MSG
Jesus so looked forward to His glorious return!
He looked down from heaven and saw turmoil all over the earth. He knew the end would be difficult. And it was near.
He hated seeing His people suffer. And yet, knowing how the story would end gave Him peace and fulfillment.
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
What a marvelous day that would be! Jesus looked forward to it with excited anticipation.
But in the meantime, grief and sorrow covered the earth. Great discord divided the people, one against another. Even God’s own people, those who loved and followed Him, became caught in Satan’s lies. Some believed they were superior. Others allowed the lie that they were inferior.
Many allowed the plight of their ancestors to dictate their future – whether taking the stance of oppressor or victim, identifying with guilt or with anger, they perpetuated past problems.
Jesus grieved at their discrimination against those unlike themselves, harboring prejudice in their hearts that they failed to acknowledge let alone admit. But Jesus saw it.
When members of the ‘other’ group misbehaved, some judged an entire mass of people for the actions of a few. This unjust stereotyping happened on both sides -- discarding the notion of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and fueling the fire of lies from the pit of hell.
Jesus shook His head in sadness.
Rather than accept one another as equals, many looked down on those who didn’t look like them, or live like them, or like the same music, food, clothing, or culture as them.
How tragic to miss the joy of diversity!
“For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:11 ESV
He turned His gaze from earth, and looked to the majesty of heaven with its beautiful array of colors and cultures and climates. Brown-skinned children climbed snowy mountains and freckled children swam in tropical waters. Pine trees and palm trees, peach trees and pomegranate trees dotted the landscape from the mountains to the oceans, from sea to shining sea.
God’s people reveled in relationships, all together, red and yellow, black and white, brown and tan and every color in between. Aged artists played with charming children. Middle-aged mothers befriended grizzled grandfathers. A magnificent mixture of different kinds of people interacted together with joy and acceptance and love.
Even the animals lived in peaceful community. The lion lay down with the lamb.
“For He is our peace, who has made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.”
Ephesians 2:14 HCSB
Jesus rejoiced in the joy of heaven. His will was that earth would reflect this heavenly paradise. That day would not come until after His return, when God created the new heaven and the new earth.
Yet His people could be shining lights in the darkness of their sin-tainted world. His people could reflect His joy and peace. His people could reach out to one another in love and grace.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 NIV