Outsiders

Are you an insider or outsider, by birth or by achievements? Have you ever been made to feel that you are an outsider? To whom does it matter whether or not you are inside or out? Does it matter to you because someone told you it matters? Outsiders do not normally get invitations to the affairs of insiders. Well, here's what I'm thinking after a fresh look at Jesus' ancestry. Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho before Israel came to destroy the city. Surely God knew this 'outsider', but allowed her to marry into the messianic Line. This very unlikely candidate was the Great Great Grandmother of King David. Rahab reminds me of the New Testament story of the prostitute who anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, and mixing it with her tears, she wiped his feet with her hair. Like so many of us, 'the insider did not get it' and was baffled that Jesus didn't discern this sinful woman. *When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!” Of course Jesus was not in the dark about this sinful woman. The common thread that connected the two women was that they were prostitutes; but also, they both exercised faith in God which made all the difference. Born in or out; achieved our way in or sinned our way out; what matters is Faith in Christ. Merry Christmas. 11262017 PS *Luke 7:36