After showing these two pictures I asked the teenagers which person they would more likely associate with and invite into our youth group. After the typical funny and churchy answers it was decided the guy with the perfect teeth an no glasses would make us all feel a little more comfortable. I want to take this opportunity to thank my teenagers for being honest about how they answered this question.
After talking about the reasons for their choice we began looking at a place in in scripture where favoritism is discussed.
James 2:1-7
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
When you read this passage it kind of makes you think twice about the way we interact with people in our workplaces, in public and even in our churches. In the course of my study I was reminded of another passage of scripture that really humbled me and made me have to re-think some of my own actions.
Isaiah 53:2 (New International Version)
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
This is a prophecy about Jesus. After reading this it was clear to me that, figuratively at least, Jesus probably much more closely resembled our friend in the Ghost Busters T-shirt than our GQ model. The lesson for us is an old one but one that remains true today. Never judge a book by its cover. You never know what set of circumstances has brought someone into your life and if you are too busy looking outwardly you will forget to look at them inwardly. I hope you are all blessed today.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul
