My graduating class was small – 42 students to be exact. On graduation day, only 41 of us were dressed in cap and gown. Kevin didn’t pass, and the rule said that you didn’t walk in the graduation procession if you didn’t pass. 41 in; 1 out.
Kevin sat in the back of the auditorium in jeans and boots. The gifted farmer he was didn’t make up for his low grades, so he was on the outside looking in. After our valedictorian began his speech, he stopped. He knew Kevin “deserved” to be out, but he wasn’t content with that. He called Kevin by name and as he walked from back to front in full view, the feeling in the room changed.
Kevin didn’t get to receive his diploma that day but none of us cared. Looking entirely out of place, the “1” knew with whom he belonged. He wasn’t pulled aside to get “cleaned up” — he simply came to join us. The academic dividing walls came down as our class again became united.
I don’t know with whom you identify more — the 41 or the 1. Like Kevin, we don’t need to get cleaned up to belong or make the grade. Jesus does it for us.
The lineage of Jesus held the “ins” of King of David and the “outs” of Rahab the prostitute. Yet, Jesus arrived into human history with this hope — The Kingdom of God is available to all, especially those on the outside… and even an “insider” like me.
You, too, are invited by Jesus. So come forward, and be found “in” him.
Heavenly Father, your heart is for the alien, the orphan, and the widow. Where my heart isn’t aligned with yours, change me from the inside out so I can claim the hope you came to give. Amen.
Go Deeper — Stand at a closed door. Note how left out you suddenly feel. Then call on the name of Jesus. Open the door and be filled with his hope as you walk in the room.
Read Further— Jesus came to bring hope. Why is that important?
Photo Credit: Nick West