In the first century, the Jewish people were very much a community of solidarity, united against the occupying regime, the Roman Empire. Oppression sometimes breeds solidarity. People. band together against a common enemy.
The most hated Jews were those who were in collusion with the Romans for their own personal, individual benefit, like the tax collectors, and King Herod, and many of the religious leaders in the Temple in Jerusalem.
One thing that is noteworthy in the gospels is that the promises of God are extended beyond the Jewish community to everyone and anyone in need; including foreigners and those perceived as historic enemies like the Samaritans.
Jesus extends Divine Love to everyone. Ethnicity, religious connections, poverty, power, none of these things influence Jesus when it comes to embracing people with unconditional love. Jesus is certainly not restricted by perceived blood ties to Abraham and Sarah considered the progenitors of Judaism.
We notice this commitment foreshadowed in the song of Mary, the Magnificat. We are told of the lifting of the lowly. Not just the lowly who are Jewish, but the lowly. Whoever they may be. The poor are filled with good things. All the poor. Not just the poor from one group, tribe, religion, or ethnicity. The insinuation is ALL the poor.
And the mighty are cast down. Not just the Jewish people who were colluders. But all people of power. Cast down. Roman and Jewish and others.
In the gospels, our blood ties are our ties as human beings, they are our ties as a species. There is no place for preferential treatment for people of a certain color, or ethnicity, or language, or religion, or citizenship. In the Magnificat, Mary expresses the commitment of God to justice, not to a certain group or sect or color. Yes, the children of Abraham and Sarah will receive justice as promised, but it is not only for those descendants.
Christmas is the most celebrated holiday in the world. But do we really know what we are celebrating? God’s love for everyone. Even those we hate.
Prayer: Like Mary, may I know that I am tied by blood to all people, not just to people who seem to be like me. I am even in relationship with my enemies and those who consider me enemy. Amen.
This devotion was prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 