Discrimination

The police all around the country are accused of using 'stop & search' powers in a way that discriminates against black people. Statistics prove it - as does the poor arrest rates following such actions. And worst of all, their actions lead to a breakdown of the good relationships on which good policing relies.
At the other end of the spectrum, some children in school may find themselves to be their teacher's favourite. Favouritism is another form of discrimination, and has wide consequences.
The Bible is alert to these issues, and the family histories of Jacob, Joseph and David are riddled with disastrous relationships arising from favouritism and discrimination.
Jesus shows us a different way.
'One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.' (Luke 7.36-39)
In this awkward situation, how might we respond? Embarrassment and confusion, I guess.
But Jesus is very clear, even when he is challenged about his accepting of the woman's attention. 'Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”  And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7.48-50)
Did Jesus show favouritism towards the woman? It may seems so, but he earlier accepted the invitation to eat with the Pharisee, which might have surprised us. Jesus seems to have been able to walk the difficult road of showing equal care and dignity towards all sorts of people. That was both very powerful and long remembered. If we can live like that, others will notice too - even if they do not understand why we are as we are - like Jesus.
Best wishes,
Richard