When Julius Caesar invaded the south coast of Britain in 55 bc, he met resistance from warring Celtic tribes. But a century later Roman control had extended all the way north into Scotland.

The conquest took 30,000 Celtic lives, but the Roman victory was short lived. Surviving clansmen soon began a fierce guerrilla campaign against their occupiers. So in 122 ad, Emperor Hadrian ordered a wall constructed to separate the Romans from the barbarians to the north. Hadrian’s Wall stands to this day.

In Jesus’ day a barrier stronger than Hadrian’s Wall stood between God’s people and the Gentiles who were outside their spiritual community. It was the barrier of ethnic prejudice. God’s design was to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; Isa. 51:2). But instead of being a witness to the nations, Israel nurtured prejudice against the Gentiles.

Prejudice and racism remain with us today, even in the church. Such attitudes can damage our witness of Christ’s love for all people. Jesus laid down His life to redeem people from every tribe and nation. We must not only accept them, we must love them as our brothers and sisters in Christ (Gal. 3:28-29; Rev. 5:9).

Christ’s love creates unity out of diversity.

Author

Dennis Fisher

Topics

Our Daily Bread