I'll stand with you!

Have you ever felt shut out, like you didn't belong? Rejection is a painful experience. And it is all too common! From the time of childhood, right through adulthood, we human beings have the awful capacity to scorn the person who is different - in color, in race, in religion, in language, even in ability. During World War 2, Americans decided that being of Japanese descent was enough to make a person suspicious, and this land of the free, took thousands of its own citizens and locked them in internment camps. We are shocked by that national policy, but after 9/11 many Americans decided that being Muslim was reason enough for rejection and discrimination. Just as some of our grandparents approved of a policy based on fear of those of Asian descent, many in our time justify discriminatory policies towards Muslims simply because of fear.

Joseph heard that his fiancé, Mary, was pregnant and he determined that he would break their engagement, albeit quietly, without trying to publicly shame her. Can we blame him? His heart was most likely broken by her apparent unfaithfulness and his honor was at stake. He knew that as soon as her pregnancy became obvious, there would be stares and whispers. As he wrestled with his fears and disappointment, God sent a messenger that assured him of Mary's fidelity and with a challenge- "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21, NLT) Stand with her Joseph! And he did! He was an obedient man who took whatever shame and criticism that she might have borne on himself.

God loved us when we were outcasts and rejects. The Bible says, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" He stood with us and now He desires that we love those who are rejected, identifying ourselves with them, standing with them. We are called to take up the cause of those that would be denied justice. It is what Jesus would do, and so must we. The Scripture says, "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." (James 1:27, The Message) God asks us to practice a costly love that sees the need of others and reaches out to meet that need.

We need to guard against a patronizing kind of assistance that reaches 'down' without really coming alongside of those in need. Much of the so-called care for the poor, the needy, the rejected is done from a distance without really becoming one of 'them,' whomever they are. Simply offering a meal or a pat on the back or a check to help with rent is a nice gesture and relieves some measure of suffering, but such efforts do not change people's lives or show them God's salvation. Only if we are willing to get involved in a way that makes our lives intersect with those in need, can we hope to really make a difference. This is what Jesus did in the Incarnation! "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish." (John 1:14, The Message)

Believer, when it comes to those in need are you just sending a check, or are you presenting yourself? There's a big difference. Jesus said, "I'll stand with you." I hope you and I will do the same for those who are suffering, rejected, alone, or trapped by sin's consequences.

"With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:6-8, NIV)