The Gospel answers the problem of racism not when it is reduced to a merely personal post-life entry pass to heaven or distorted into a socio-political program, but when its totally believed, receiving Jesus who comprehensively forgives the unimaginable & makes family of foes.
This new humanity is freely justified by faith and called into a new community that sheds the old world identities for a new union with God & one another. It is why salvation isn’t separated from the church, nor from works to show God’s love & justice in this broken world.
Whatever may be the Ephesus we are “in” and call home, we are first “in Christ” and committed to his throne. Repudiating racism and ethnic pride isn’t wokism, it’s Gospel living. We celebrate the uniqueness of peoples and this because of our new unity in Jesus.
“Welcome one another as God has welcomed you” (Romans 15) is the essence of this reality. This is the Hospitality of the Kingdom, shocking to all who imagine the King’s table might only have seats for a few or for those similar to themselves. It is the King’s ungated neighborhood
Jesus’ Kingdom has always been scandalous. He eats with sinners, undoes shame, heals the children of “outsiders”, turns an outcast woman in an outcast culture into an evangelist of the first order. He dies on a symbol of torture & state power to free us from the gravest chains.
He still overturns tables but does it now by setting one, inviting you and I to take a seat and receive the feast he offers. Together. It’s a scandal. It’s a miracle. We need it.
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