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Who are the people you work with that most people have nothing to do with? In most organizations there are people who are not part of the in-group. You know, they look different, they dress oddly, they talk a little strange, maybe they don’t smell as good as they should, they’re not as educated as others, and they’re just not important people.
As we conclude our look at the people skills of Jesus, we have to take note that Jesus always had time for people that others ignored or rejected. He was continually being thrown into contact with social outcasts, from lepers to beggars to sinners to demon-possessed people. In fact he invited those kinds of encounters.
The religious leaders of his day never could figure him out. They were careful not to associate with these undesirables. How could this man intentionally surround himself with those who were unlovely, unattractive, unappealing? It didn’t make sense to them.
Yet Jesus, by associating with those rejected by others, was able to heal them, help them, make them feel special, and give them hope. This is a good lesson for us to learn from our Master as we think about how we treat people. We should go out of our way to associate with those that are on the outside looking in.
Can you think of someone right now that would fit that description? They may be a coworker or a member of your church or a participant in your Bible study or a neighbor. Why don’t you write that person’s name down and purpose in your heart to pray for that person, and then find ways to associate with him or her, to reach out and bring that person within your circle of friends. You may be amazed at what God wants to do for that person through you, and what it will do for you to learn this important people skill.
It’s always good to remind ourselves that God loves us all the same. He is no respecter of persons, and each of us is of equal importance to him. When we look at people through his eyes, we’ll see that all are on the same level.
