The Ostracized and Marginalized
Jesus' ministry and training of His disciples took place in a highly stratified society. The lines were clearly drawn between men and women, religious hierarchy and the common people, rich and poor, and Pharisees and publicans. The woman's place was in the home, and then only certain portions of it.
Read Luke 16:19-31. What message about class distinctions is pictured here? From this parable, what can we learn about how the Lord viewed the attitude and actions of the wealthy establishment?
Read Luke 18:9-14 and answer the same questions, this time about how Jesus viewed the actions and attitudes of the religious establishment.
Jesus neither followed nor advocated the status quo, because He obviously saw many of the problems that had arisen in it. Instead, He openly associated with, taught, and advocated for the marginalized people in His society. In the Gospels we can see the kind of people that Jesus worked with and for. Sure, He sought to reach the upper classes as well, but at the same time He ministered to Gentiles, disreputable women, lepers, publicans, demoniacs, Romans, those with disabilities, the blind, the poor, a whole host of those considered outcasts, marginalized in one way or another from society.
Again, considering what He came to the world to do, to die for the sins of every human being, it makes perfect sense that while He was here He would minister to everyone who would be ministered to.
What is your attitude toward the marginalized and outcasts in your society? What is your church's attitude toward them? How can you tell if you really care, or if you are just expressing the expected platitudes?
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