Bridge Builders and Wall Builders
May 4, 2009
Dear Friends,
Does God want us to build walls around ourselves to keep people out or build bridges to people to let them in?
The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were the consummate wall-builders. They would not consort with Gentiles, tax collectors, Samaritans, women or “sinners.” Their object in life was to keep these people out and avoid defilement.
Jesus, on the other hand, was a model in bridge building. One of Jesus’ favorite phrases seems to be the phrase “come unto me.”
- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mt 11:28)
- But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 19:14)
- In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (Joh 7:37)
Jesus was a rebel in his day because he reached out to people that the wall-builders considered unfit. He never did so in an unprincipled manner. He never said, “I’ll take you just the way that you are.” Jesus offered these people a bridge to him. He didn’t adopt their ways; he showed them a way to come to him. To the adulterous woman of John 8 who the wall builders were ready to stone, he said that he did not condemn her but added “go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11) Changing her moral code was the bridge to Jesus. To the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus revealed that he was the Messiah, but challenged her core religious beliefs by saying “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22) Changing her doctrinal position was the bridge to Jesus. Dining in the house of a tax collector named Levi to the repulsion of the wall-building Pharisees watching, Jesus called his host a sinner in front of everyone but also called him to repentance. (Luke 5:32) Changing his attitude and moral compass was the bridge to Jesus.
The wall-builders rightly recognize that there is a Divine standard for belief and conduct. They recognize that people need to change. However, their attitudes say “stay away.” The bridge-builders recognize a need to change too. However, their attitude towards their fellowman clearly says “come.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
Are we wall-builders or bridge-builders?
Have a great week,
Comments»
Hey Kyle,
I think your thoughts here are very important. It really boils down to whether or not we think INclusively or EXclusively. Of course there needs to be a balance, but Jesus’ example is primarily inclusive due to the exclusive culture he was teaching against.
I was told once regarding my own ministry to others that “If you lay down with the dogs, you’ll get their fleas.” A cute saying, but certainly not what Jesus followed. He wasn’t too worried about “catching fleas” from the publicans, harlots, and sinners to whom he ministered, he was going to win them over. We should better follow his example.
Paul