There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:28-29)
In a world that seeks to divide us and place barriers between us, Jesus seeks instead to unite us.
These barriers include ethnic, religious, regional, political, cultural, social, economic, and gender biases that make for an "us-them" dynamic. The kingdom of God, however, seeks to promote and provide a "we" dynamic.
The worldly divisions that mark our lives are washed away in the waters of baptism. Then those who were enemies and strangers can find peace and hope in a common relationship that they share with Jesus.
I've often remarked that my relationship with Jesus seeks to shape all my other relationships. Indeed, in Christ we are made a new creation -- not bound by definitions others give us or that we give ourselves. Instead, we are defined most fully and most completely by the claim that Jesus has upon us. And so is our neighbor!
Loving Jesus, may you guide us to live and love like you! Amen.
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