After Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery, he recruited African Americans to serve in the Civil War. Their heroic deeds helped the north win the war. Just as Abe Lincoln did not let prejudice stop him from using African American soldiers, racial prejudice did not stop our Lord from showing compassion to Gentiles in his day. We find in Luke Chapter 7 that a Roman centurion sent a delegation to ask Jesus to come heal his servant. Even though custom forbade Jews from entering the home of a Gentile, Jesus didn’t let that stop him from showing kindness to the Roman officer. We read, “Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.’…Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” When Jesus heard this, he turned to the crowd and said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” When the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the servant completely healed. Jesus came to save and show kindness to everyone. Today, true followers of Jesus treat everyone with respect and kindness.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
