“Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
This was the second song I learned as a child. The first was Jesus Loves Me. This simple song touches on some of the most important doctrines of the Bible, including missions and evangelism.
Why is it then that so many of us reject the clear teaching of Scripture by refusing to reach out to those who are not just like us? This problem is not new; it is clearly seen in Jesus’ own day.
What the Bible says …
Luke 4:16-21 records Jesus attending a synagogue service in his hometown of Nazareth. He read from the prophecy of Isaiah and announced a new day was coming—a day when all people would have the opportunity to receive God’s love. His claim he was the fulfillment of Scripture (v. 21) caused quite a stir among the congregation.
The people took exception to two things: 1) the authority of Jesus and 2) the content of his message.
They thought they knew Jesus. He was one of their own. He was Joseph’s son (v. 22). He did not carry with him the trappings of prestige, wealth and authority. Therefore they dismissed his claim. The congregation was wrong.
They demanded proof; they wanted to see miracles. “Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum’” (v. 23).
This common proverb essentially meant, “We want to see you in action. Show us your power!” To the first proverb, Jesus added a second: “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown” (v. 24).
Jesus, instead of proving himself to the crowd, reminded them of the price of disobedience. What may have started as a “hometown hero making good,” quickly turned into a “let’s teach him a lesson he will never forget.”
The congregation questioned his authority and then rejected his message. Jesus reminded them of two lessons found in the Old Testament. The prophet Elijah showed mercy to a Gentile widow (1 Kings 17:8-16), when he could have done the same for many Jewish widows. The prophet Elisha healed a Gentile who was afflicted with leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-15), when he could have healed any number of Jews who suffered the same disease. How did the congregation respond when they heard these words? “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this” (v. 28).
These reminders underscore instances where God showed mercy to Gentiles rather than Jews. As the prophets of the Old Testament were sent to proclaim God’s love and care for Gentiles and not just Jews, so Jesus came to remind the Jews that though they were God’s chosen nation, their purpose was to be a light to the entire world.
Their anger went past the boiling point. “They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way” (vv. 29-30).
What the Bible means to me today …
Many of us will study this passage and say we completely agree with Jesus and his message. I have found myself looking down upon the actions and attitudes of those present in the synagogue in Nazareth on that Sabbath day. I would never be so blind and callous. Such statements on my part show me to be a “legend in my own mind.” Do my words say one thing, yet my actions and actual practices say another?
The Bible teaches salvation is for everyone, for whoever would believe in Christ (John 3:16). But I find myself viewing certain groups of people as “not worthy.” This is wrong.
I believe in tithing. I give sacrificially. Yet, if I took a close look at the percentage of the ministry budget of my church that goes beyond our walls, how much are we really investing in those who are not just like me?
I say I am a person of faith. I say I depend upon the leading of God’s Spirit in all I do. But apathy, indifference, fear, doubt and failure play a bigger role in my life than I care to admit. I find it easy to turn aside from the path he would have me walk.
If Jesus were to visit a worship service in my church on the Lord’s Day and pick up a Bible, what passage would he read? What would he say? If he saw where our money goes, would he approve? Would he ask me where the people are who are not like me?
I think he would ask me to sing the song I learned as a child—the one about his loving all people, regardless of skin color, social standing or economic status. And I pray my heart would melt and break over the words I would sing.
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