Samaritans were regarded as having a corrupt religion and questionable ethnic background. Jews hated them and would not talk to them unless absolutely necessary. They took pains to detour around Samaritans settlements when they traveled. And that was while the woman was still in a life of sin.īut Jesus purposely traveled to a Samaritan city to spend considerable time talking to a woman. Religious people condemned Jesus because He associated “with sinners” who were an “ abomination to the Lord.” And that probably damaged His credibility with the Pharisees and Scribes. There are various kinds of social outcasts in our society too, but I would like to focus on just one group that is often excluded from society in conservative Christian churches, including Seventh-day Adventist churches – gay people, also often called homosexuals. In Romans 1, Paul denounced gay sex as unnaturalan egregious example of pagan decadenceand said it would bring the wrath of God. Not all of Jesus’ followers took such a tender view, however.
Sermons reference homosexuality as one of the signs of the last days, and pastors seem to use the word “abomination” exclusively in referring to homosexuality. Even if Jesus viewed homosexuality as a sin, he had a penchant for reaching out to sinners rather than shunning them. Thus, often the only way we know to deal with gay people is to ignore or condemn them. He reserved His condemnation for professed religious conservatives whom He denounced as hypocrites! 2 It seems to me that the example Jesus showed during his life for those who were outcasts demonstrated compassion and concern while they were yet sinners.
I’m asking whether we would do the same for someone who made us feel uncomfortable, while we’re thinking, “he’s probably gay.” Do we honestly welcome an obvious gay couple to our church? So we must wonder, if He were here today, in person, would Jesus associate with homosexuals, visit in their homes and go to their parties? Or would He only associate with “good” church people?Īnd what about our churches? Do we make gay people feel welcome? Do we treat them as our equals? Can they see the love of God in us? Would we invite a gay couple home for dinner? And I’m not just asking whether or not we would make “redeemed” homosexuals, such as those found on Coming Out Ministries or Beholding His Love Ministries feel welcome.