Crossing the Lines of Prejudice

Most of us prefer to spend our time with people who are like us. We’re more comfortable with those who share our values, beliefs and our culture. It was no different in the ancient nation of Israel.
Philip, a man from a Greek cultural background, was a Jewish leader of the Jerusalem church who dared to overcome the prejudice of his day. The New Testament reports, “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.” That may sound harmless, but the feelings between the Jews and Samaritans could be compared to the Israelis and Hezbollah in Lebanon or Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.
Philip crossed the line. I can imagine what others must have thought: “If Samaritans become Christians they will ruin the church. They don't worship the way we worship. They don't look or sound like us. There are parts of the Bible they don't believe.” Preaching to the Samaritans was spiritually risky business.
But it was because of Philip and other Christians like him that the church changed the world. They were willing to cross lines, take risks and reach out to new people. If they hadn’t, Christianity would still be a sect of Judaism with a handful of purists tucked away somewhere around Jerusalem. We need to ask ourselves if we are uncomfortable with the way some people differ in their beliefs, race, language or culture. Many of us are. The lesson to learn from the early Christians is to take a risk. Be a Philip who loves people who aren’t just like you.

Related Scripture: Acts 8: 5-8

© 2007 Leith Anderson