By: Juliet Constantine
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:46-47)
They are everywhere. You’ll find them in schools, churches, offices, communities, on the internet – clusters of small groups that are very tight to get in. People seem to have an innate desire to be together with others of their kind. Members in these tight groups get more love than an outsider as they normally share the same philosophy. The surest way for an outsider to enter is via an invite from a friend who is a member of that particular group. Otherwise, it is almost useless. Members of the group are unwilling to widen the circle because of fear that the group’s philosophy might be lost, fear that they might become contaminated, and/or fear that their existence may become irrelevant.
Such was the situation with the Jewish hierarchy of Jesus’ day. Pockets of tax collectors, pagans, and others had their little cliques in which they gathered to strategize and frolic. No one was allowed in. But then, Jesus came and He broke down the walls of partition, He removed barriers to entry, and He mingled with everyone. Not even His very own understood Him at times. He made Himself available to all because He came to save all. He made it clear to all that He was not into the clique business. He was not into showing favoritism. He greeted, ate with, and spoke to everyone. He widened the circle.
It was for this reason that He intentionally sat at Jacob’s well in the cool of the day. He had an appointment with a candidate for Heaven. She didn’t know she was to meet a new man, the best man she would’ve ever known. She was just going about her business, trying to avoid contact with others who saw her as a social outcast. She was a husband stealer, so you would understand that the wives and wives-to-be didn’t want anything to do with her. They were afraid she would steal their husbands.
Jesus wasn’t interested in her body. That’s not why He awaited her arrival. He wanted to invite her to be a member of His group – His Kingdom which welcomes whosoever will come. He asked her for water, but He was not thirsty for a drink; instead, His thirst was that this life would be rescued from the pit of hell. She needed to belong. She needed friends who would encourage her to take the higher road. She so longed for “living water”. And now, she met a Jewish man, the Messiah, who totally fulfilled her need.
Her mission immediately changed. Her need was fully met. She ran to share the good news. “Come see a man!” she shouted. She no longer cared whether the wives’ group accepted her or not; or believed the sincerity of her change. It wasn’t important if they would speak to her now. She found something better and was willing to widen the circle. She would no longer be an outcast in her community.
Perhaps you have been clowning with those you are most comfortable. You may only laugh, talk, or share with those who are in your comfort zone. The invitation is for you too. Widen your circle. Greet guests who visit your church. Say hi to people you meet on the street. Invite your church guest home for dinner. Share the love of Jesus with everyone. Invite them to become a member of Jesus’ Kingdom. Show that we can love everyone, not just those who share our beliefs. We are not a cult, as some may think. We are members of God’s kingdom who want others to come too. Won’t you widen your circle and invite even one to Jesus? Each one can reach one.
Holy Father, in light of our crime filled Earth, we’ve become so closed and are a little more comfortable in our cliques. Unintentionally, we have shut out others who might have been won to you through our influence. Please forgive us, and in faith, please help us to widen our circles to embrace and love Your children. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
