Luke 23:50-51 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.

John mentions that Nicodemus joined Joseph in dealing with Jesus’ body, (John 19:39-40) and together they illustrate that there are indeed good, righteous politicians, even if their opinions aren’t always followed. We tend to paint the Sanhedrin in particular with a very broad brush, but there were also people like Gamaliel (Acts 5:34 and following) who had their heads in the right place. It is very dangerous to generalize. That’s where a lot of racial discrimination comes in. Even Paul was touched by it, when he wrote that “One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’” (Titus 1:12) One of the many miracles of creation is that God sees each one of us individually, with all of our virtually infinite differences. It’s also a miracle that He loves us anyway! We need to realize that our own differences aren’t disqualifying, and neither are those of anyone else. We need always to seek to see people with God’s eyes, to judge them by the content of their character rather than by any other characteristic, just as M. L. King said. The thing is, he had character flaws too, just as we all do. Every human being who has ever lived or will ever live is in need of God’s grace, so we should strive to be channels of that grace to them. The Bible says in various places with various words that the standards we apply to others will be applied to us. One of the scariest things Jesus said was, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) And that was immediately after teaching what we call the Lord’s Prayer, that we quote so glibly! We need to rejoice in God’s truly amazing grace and extend it to those around us, as He has told us.

I am a generally forgiving person, but I still have a tendency to classify people, to pre-judge them, as it were. Occasionally race enters into it, but not often. Whatever the reason, that’s not good. I get upset over other people’s discriminatory attitudes, but I’m not free of such myself! It’s not a physical thing, but I still identify with what Paul said: “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) I too am totally dependent on God’s grace!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You’re allowing me to go through in connection with our housing in Louisville, with reservations and cancellations and the like. My pride is certainly being ground down! Help me truly be an agent of Your grace and love to all I interact with, both here and on our trip, so that people may see You and be drawn to You through me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!