Us

“Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15

Us – In Greek, hemin.  The inclusive word.  Did you recognize that Jesus opens his ministry with a statement of community?  He did not say that it was appropriate for him to fulfill God’s plan.  He said it was becoming for us.  Jesus immediately identifies himself with the rest of humanity by including John.  In this tiny Greek word, he changes everything about the relationship between God and Man.  Rick Warren said in his book, “It’s not about you.”  Jesus said on his first day, “It’s about us.”

One of the greatest themes of the New Testament is us.  Over and over we are reminded of what God has done for us, how Jesus is related to us, why the Body is for us.  Being a follower of Jesus is a commitment to us.  It is never a rationale for exclusion of others.  What Jesus demonstrated was God’s complete identification and inclusion with all of us.

How difficult it is for us to follow Jesus’ footsteps here!  Man in opposition to God is Man characterized by exclusion.  There is always some human rationale for pushing others away.  Race, color, creed, shape, status, power, place, position, language, style, the list goes on and on.  And let’s not forget religion.  Christianity has become a splintered and fractured gem of exclusion – every group defying every other.  What has happened to the Lord’s word, “that they may be one”?

If we are going to follow Jesus, we will have to begin with an examination of our borders.  Who are we keeping out?  Who do we identify as the “others”?  Perhaps we need to stand in the waters of the Jordan and hear Him say, “It’s about us.”

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