May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are One - CONQUERING PREJUDICE WITH LOVE AND HUMILITY

Jesus taught his followers a fundamental principle that underlies our unity.  "All of you are brothers," he said.  (Read Matthew 23:8, 9) Of course, one sense in which we are "brothers" is that all of us have descended from Adam.  (Acts 17:26)  But there is more.   Jesus explained that his disciples were brothers and sister because they recognized Jehovah as their heavenly Father.  (Matthew 12:50) In addition, they had become members of one large spiritual family, united by love and faith.  Thus in their letters, the apostles often referred to fellow disciples as 'brothers and sisters.' -Romans 1:13; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:13. 

After making it clear that we should view one another as brothers and sister, Jesus stressed the need for humility.  (Read Matthew 23:11, 12.) As noted, undue pride among his apostles led to some disunity.  And pride of race could also have been a problem.  Did the Jews have reason to be proud because they were descendants of Abraham?  Many Jews had that deep-seated conviction.  But John the Baptist told them:  "God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones." -Luke 3:8.

Jesus condemned racial pride.  He used an opportunity to do so when a scribe asked:  "Who really is my neighbor?"  In answer, Jesus gave and illustration of a Samaritan who kindly cared for a traveler-a Jew-who had been beaten by thieves.  Passing Jews ignored this unfortunate man, whereas the Samaritan took pity on him.  Jesus concluded his story by telling the scribe to be like that Samaritan.  (Luke 10:25-37)  Jesus showed that a Samaritan could teach the Jews the meaning of true neighborly love.

To fulfill their commission, Jesus' disciples needed to conquer the pride and prejudice they had.  Before ascending to heaven, he assigned them to bear witness to "all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth."
  (Acts 1:8)  Jesus had earlier prepared them for such an extensive assignment  by drawing attention to good qualities in foreigners.  He praised a foreign army officer for his outstanding faith.  (Matthew 8:5-10)  In his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus spoke of how Jehovah had favored foreigners, such as the Phoenician widow from Zarephath and the Syrian leper Naaman.  (Luke 4:25-27) And Jesus not only preached to Samaritan woman but he spent two days in a Samaritan town because of the people's interest in his message. -John 4:21-24, 40.

Next time: May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus  Are One - FIGHTING PREJUDICE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

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