One Sunday, John introduced a new couple, Bill and Sandy, to his adult Sunday school class. Bill’s gleaming black leather shoes and Italian suit exuded wealth. Sandy wore a silk dress, and a two-karat diamond wedding ring rested on her hand.
After class, the women gathered around Sandy like seagulls waiting for French fries at an outside beachfront café. The men flocked to Bill, peppering him with questions about work, family, and the neighborhood he lived in.
Most of the class met at a restaurant after class each week, so they invited the new couple to join them. They declined the offer due to previously arranged plans.
A few weeks later, John introduced newcomers, Cassandra and Todd, to his class. They wore jeans caked with dirt, and the couple reeked of body odor. Cassandra’s hair had fallen in her face, so she grabbed a clump of greasy locks and swept it behind her ear. She placed a backpack with tattered stitching and holes on the floor next to her. Todd’s hair stuck out in all different directions, as if he had just rolled out of bed.
No one approached the couple after class, although they waited several minutes before leaving. Shortly afterward, the regulars commented on the couple’s odor and unkept appearance.
The following week, John had the class read and discuss the second chapter of James, starting with verse one.
“Three weeks ago,” their teacher explained, “a couple visited our class, and all of you welcomed them, excited to learn everything you could about the well-to-do couple. Last week, a disheveled couple who had fallen on tough times joined us, and you ignored them. Then, you gossiped about their appearance after they left. Actually, this was the same couple.”
The students’ eyes widened. Several gasped as they looked at the floor, ashamed of their actions. They shifted nervously in their chairs, uncomfortable with John’s statement.
The wise instructor sensed the beautiful teaching moment that arose from the conversation’s compost and led them in a discussion about favoritism and how Jesus looks at all people with heartfelt love (James 2:1). John felt their repentant hearts and the rich learning that grew from this teaching tool.
Jesus shows no favoritism, and we mirror Him when we choose to treat everyone with dignity and respect. Don’t fall into the trap of favoritism.
Cherrie Herrin-Michehl is a writer.