Blue Eyed Commentary
By Jon Groth
"A little edgy" was the phrase Dr. Paul Metzger and Pastor Emmett Wheatfall used as prelude to the New Wine, New Wineskins showing of the Jane Elliott video, "Blue-Eyed," and the following open discussion forum on discrimination. Pastor Wheatfall conditioned us with such words as "provocative," "relevance," and "offended." He also reminded us that the great apostle Paul commanded us to show "forbearance to one another in love" (Eph. 4:4b).
During the viewing of the Jane Elliott presentation of "Blue-eyed," many of us squirmed in our chairs. Many of us silently said to ourselves, "Surely, I AM NOT a racist." By the end of the video, Elliott removed any doubt that each of us, in distinct ways, is indeed a racist. If not by acts of commission, then at least by acts of omission we qualify for this distinction. As Scripture says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). The hard reality is that discrimination exists in a myriad of forms including discrimination of minority people.
When Pastor Wheatfall questioned the audience to describe what constituted a minority, one respondent stated that a minority was "anyone not like me," people who are different. Do we not flock into our Sunday morning centers of worship with people who are just like us? Do we, without objection, accept the disparaging epithet towards a person of color, different ethnic heritage, or faith community? If, then, each of us bears the brand of racist, is reconciliation possible, and if so, where does reconciliation begin.
John Dawson in a recent publication comments that, "Reconciliation takes place when you and I begin to enjoy intimate fellowship with our previous enemies...This is a miracle made possible by the cross of Christ. At the cross, mercy triumphed over justice. The cross of Christ released a mighty flood of reconciling grace into the world" (italics added).
Dawson's statement begs the question, is true reconciliation only possible through the confessing church? If so, and the Living Word tells us it is, reconciliation becomes the responsibility of every Christian. God instructed Moses at Sinai that the people of Israel "shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" to be an intercessor for the nations of the world (Ex. 19:6). Peter restates our role as citizens of God's kingdom in 1 Peter 2:9, "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This is not a title - it is a responsibility.
The apostle Paul reminds us of our responsibility that as God reconciles us to Him through Christ Jesus he appoints us priestly ambassadors of reconciliation to the world (2 Cor. 5:18-20). John Dawson tells us that reconciliation begins at the foot of the cross of Christ in humble thanksgiving of our reconciliation to God, and our priestly responsibilities to a needy world. To reconcile, like faith and love, is an action word. It has no value until put into motion. The beginning of reconciliation requires that we take up our cross, step forward in the love of Jesus, and die to the world one little step at a time. Where do we begin? Pray to the Christ who saved you, leave your prejudice and your fear at the foot of His cross, and ask Him to guide you to action. He promised He would show us His will. We only need to ask.
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