Religious hatred is repeatedly in the news; we constantly hear of acts of violence in the name of religion, occurring across the globe. Such behavior is nothing new—human beings have often directed prejudice and hate toward “the other”—but it is directly challenged by Jesus. Jesus constantly startled his contemporaries by breaking through barriers of antipathy and exclusion. He demonstrated compassion toward the outsider, and ultimately charged his disciples to take the gospel—the good news of God’s saving love—to every people on earth.

So the apostle Paul would say that “in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile . . . neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Today we are called to join with Christ in showing the world that, as I John puts it, “God is love.” (I John 4:16) So we can counter the darkness of today’s news with the light of God’s grace.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Luke 4:16–30
Mark 1:40–42
Matthew 15:21–28

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.