The world we live in feels increasingly divided. Labels, identities, and ideologies seem to multiply, creating both opportunities for expression and new barriers between us. The ways we see ourselves and others—physically, spiritually, sexually—have become complex landscapes, often accompanied by tension and misunderstanding. In the midst of this, a question arises: if Jesus walked among us today, how would He respond?
It’s unlikely He would dwell on the specifics of how people identify. From what we know of His life and teachings, His focus would be far greater. He would likely ask us questions that cut through division and speak directly to the heart: How are you loving? How are you welcoming? How are you building bridges rather than walls?
Love as the Foundation
At the center of Jesus’ life and ministry is a radical, transformative love—a love that refuses to draw lines between “us” and “them.” Over and over, He extended compassion to those on the margins, the excluded, the misunderstood. Whether it was a tax collector like Zacchaeus, a Samaritan woman at the well, or someone as reviled as a leper, Jesus saw beyond labels and into the hearts of individuals.
If He walked among us today, His focus would likely remain the same. He wouldn’t ask us to categorize or define people based on their differences. Instead, He would remind us of the commandment He called the greatest: Love one another as I have loved you. This isn’t love in the abstract—it’s love in action. It’s a love that sees the person before the label, the heart before the identity.
Welcoming the Stranger
Jesus’ life was full of moments where He welcomed those who were seen as “other.” He didn’t just tolerate them; He invited them to the table. In fact, His ministry often took place at meals, where barriers between people naturally dissolved over shared food and conversation.
Welcoming, in this sense, isn’t just about opening our doors—it’s about opening our hearts. It’s about creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and valued. If we’re honest, this can be difficult. Differences can make us uncomfortable. But Jesus never shied away from discomfort. Instead, He leaned into it, showing us that true hospitality isn’t about convenience—it’s about courage.
Today, we might ask ourselves: How am I welcoming those who are different from me? Do I listen with an open heart, or do I let fear or misunderstanding keep me at a distance?
Building Bridges Over Walls
One of the most striking things about Jesus is His ability to bring people together. He wasn’t interested in reinforcing walls that divided people—whether religious, cultural, or social. Instead, He was a bridge-builder, finding ways to connect people across their differences.
In our modern world, the walls between us can feel insurmountable. Ideologies clash, identities are misunderstood, and labels are wielded like weapons. But Jesus would likely challenge us to think differently. He might ask: What walls have you built, and how can you begin to dismantle them? Where are the opportunities to build bridges instead?
Bridge-building isn’t about erasing differences. It’s about creating pathways of understanding and compassion. It requires humility, a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, and a commitment to seeing the humanity in everyone—even those we find difficult to understand.
The Challenge of Loving in a Divided World
Jesus’ teachings are clear, but living them out in a divided world is not always easy. Differences can feel overwhelming, and our own biases can create blind spots. It’s tempting to retreat into the safety of sameness, surrounding ourselves with people who think, act, and believe as we do. But this isn’t the way of love.
Loving others—truly loving them—requires effort. It means choosing curiosity over judgment, empathy over indifference, and connection over isolation. It means asking questions like: What can I learn from this person? How can I create space for them to feel valued? What might I need to let go of to build a bridge between us?
These questions aren’t just about others; they’re about us, too. They challenge us to examine our own hearts and the ways we might be contributing to division, even unintentionally. They invite us to step into a greater calling: to be people who bring others together.
What Unity Looks Like
Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It doesn’t mean erasing differences or pretending they don’t exist. Instead, it means embracing the richness of diversity while remembering that at our core, we are all connected. We are all part of the same human family, each carrying within us something sacred and valuable.
If Jesus walked among us today, He might remind us of this truth in the way only He can. He might sit with those on the margins, listen to their stories, and challenge those in power to open their hearts. And He would likely call all of us—no matter who we are or how we identify—to step into deeper love, greater humility, and a commitment to building bridges.
A Call to Action
So what does this look like in practice? It might mean reaching out to someone you’ve been hesitant to engage with. It might mean listening more deeply to the stories of those who are different from you. It might mean letting go of assumptions or fears that have kept you from connecting.
It might also mean asking yourself the questions Jesus might ask: How am I loving? How am I welcoming? How am I building bridges rather than walls?
These aren’t easy questions, but they are transformative ones. They invite us to move beyond the surface, beyond the labels, and into the heart of what it means to live in love. And in doing so, they bring us closer to the vision of unity that Jesus prayed for—a unity that honors diversity while grounding us in what truly matters.
A Blessing for Bridge-Builders
May you love with an open heart, welcoming others as they are. May you see beyond labels to the sacredness within each person. May you have the courage to build bridges where walls once stood, and may your actions bring healing, unity, and peace to a divided world.
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