Have you ever been mistaken for someone else because you look a little bit like them? One of the greatest compliments I ever received at St Wilfrid’s was from a supply teacher who wrote me a card, thanking me for an assembly I had done that had made an impact. On the front of the envelope, it said Mr Reeve. What a compliment!
When Jesus began to preach and teach, he had many followers. That was not unusual for the culture of the day. The teachers were called Rabbis and they would have followers. Their followers were called disciples. The Rabbi would read the Holy book and would explain it to their followers. Although each Rabbi read from the same scripture, their application would be different. Some saw such division as a problem, especially when Jesus began to preach and teach. In Matthew 7:29, we read that people said about Jesus, “He taught as one who had authority, and not as their Scribes”.
Jesus was unique and his message was different. This led to opposition, misunderstanding and hatred. It led, ultimately, to a plot to have him killed.
How do we respond to difference? When we considered our purpose, and we thought about being like clay, did we see ourselves as a mass-produced identical product, it as a ‘one of a kind’ masterpiece?
When we talked about belonging, did we choose to embrace those who are different?
You are unique. Your DNA, your fingerprint, your retina scan will all confirm this. In Psalm 139, the writer describes in such a beautiful way. Let us celebrate the beauty of difference and the richness it offers our community today.
