After coming out of the store this afternoon, I stepped into my car and noticed something on the floorboard. I reached to down to pick up what appeared to be a very small object which looked as if it had been crushed under someone’s foot. As my eyes focused closer on the item and my thumb and index finger moved nearer to it, I finally realized what it was…someone’s used cigarette butt. My first thought was, “I told Leah to quit smoking in my car!” Obviously that was a joke. Those of you who know Leah realize she only smokes cigars. Kidding again. Since no one in my family smokes, I wondered how someone else’s butt had found its’ way into my car. No pun intended…maybe a little. I was slightly puzzled for just a second and then it hit me – the cigarette butt must have attached itself to the bottom of my shoe and then detached itself when I stepped onto the floorboard of my car. I cringed as I picked up this object previously pursed around someone’s, hopefully sanitary, lips and flicked it back to the ground from whence it came. I quickly pumped the “gigantor” hand sanitizer located in my car which I furiously use after coming in contact with disgusting things and people who look a little dirty. I wonder what Jesus did when he came in contact with people who were dirty, downtrodden, and desperately hopeless?
When He [Jesus] had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:1-3).
Jesus was never partial and was always willing to extend a touch or a look of compassion toward those who were the least in society. The church has to get this right. I believe James said it best when writing, “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others? For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” – well, doesn’t this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives? …Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law” (James 2:1-4, 8b-9).
