Radical Acceptance: Breaking Barriers with Love
Summary
In this Advent season, we are reminded of the profound truth that God took on flesh to radically accept us. This divine acceptance calls us to extend the same grace to others, as instructed by the Apostle Paul. We live in a world rife with division, condemnation, and rejection, where societal and cultural "shibboleths" create barriers between people. The term "shibboleth" originates from a dark biblical story in Judges 12, where it was used as a linguistic test to separate and destroy. This concept has been echoed throughout history, serving as a tool for exclusion and violence, as seen in events like the Parsley Massacre.
In contrast, the message of Jesus is one of radical inclusion. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds the good news of great joy for all people, not just a select few. Jesus consistently broke down the shibboleths of His time, welcoming those marginalized by society—tax collectors, Roman centurions, lepers, and others. His life exemplified the breaking of barriers and the embrace of all individuals, regardless of their societal status or past.
Today, we are called to be shibboleth breakers, to radically accept those around us. This involves genuine interest and engagement with others, as exemplified by my friend Larry Langdon, who always prioritizes others' well-being. By listening and showing interest, even if initially feigned, we open ourselves to God's grace, allowing us to truly care for others. Jesus modeled this perfectly, always interested in and eager to bless those He encountered.
In a world divided by shibboleths, we are invited to be agents of healing, filling in the cracks of division with love and acceptance. Jesus has torn down the walls of hostility, and we are called to continue His work by being good news of great joy for all people.
Key Takeaways:
- The concept of "shibboleth" serves as a reminder of how language and cultural markers can be used to divide and exclude. We must be vigilant against such divisions in our own lives and communities, striving instead for unity and acceptance. [03:18]
- Jesus' message of radical inclusion challenges us to break down barriers and embrace all people, regardless of societal or cultural distinctions. His life was a testament to the power of love and acceptance over exclusion. [07:41]
- Genuine interest in others is a powerful tool for connection and acceptance. By focusing on others' needs and stories, we can foster deeper relationships and reflect the love of Christ. [09:08]
- Acting interested, even when it doesn't come naturally, can lead to genuine care and concern for others. This practice opens us to God's grace, transforming our interactions and relationships. [09:32]
- Jesus' life exemplified radical acceptance and love for all people. As His followers, we are called to continue His work, breaking down the walls of division and being good news of great joy for everyone we encounter. [10:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Radical Acceptance in Advent
- [00:40] - Command to Accept Others
- [01:02] - Understanding Shibboleth
- [01:43] - Biblical Origin of Shibboleth
- [02:22] - Tribalism and Division
- [03:18] - Historical Use of Shibboleth
- [04:11] - Art and Division
- [05:08] - Modern Shibboleths
- [06:24] - Jesus' Message of Inclusion
- [07:07] - Good News for All
- [08:06] - Be a Shibboleth Breaker
- [08:30] - Example of Radical Acceptance
- [09:08] - Genuine Interest in Others
- [10:01] - Healing Division with Love
- [10:30] - Community Engagement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Judges 12:1-6
2. Luke 2:10-11
3. Ephesians 2:14
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the word "shibboleth" in the story from Judges 12, and how was it used to create division? [01:43]
2. How did Jesus' message of inclusion, as announced by the angels in Luke 2, contrast with the concept of shibboleths? [06:24]
3. What examples from Jesus' life demonstrate His breaking of societal shibboleths and His radical acceptance of all people? [07:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of genuine interest in others as a tool for connection and acceptance? [09:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of the shibboleth in Judges 12 illustrate the dangers of using language and cultural markers to divide people? [01:43]
2. How does the proclamation of the angels in Luke 2:10-11 challenge the expectations of the people of Israel regarding the Messiah's message? [07:07]
3. What does Ephesians 2:14 mean when it says Jesus has "torn down the dividing wall of hostility," and how does this relate to the sermon’s call to be shibboleth breakers? [10:01]
4. How can acting interested in others, even when it doesn't come naturally, lead to genuine care and concern, according to the sermon? [09:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt excluded due to a "shibboleth" in your life. How can this experience help you empathize with others who feel marginalized? [01:02]
2. Identify a "shibboleth" in your community or social circle. What steps can you take to break down this barrier and promote inclusion? [05:08]
3. Jesus welcomed those marginalized by society. Who in your life might feel marginalized, and how can you extend radical acceptance to them this week? [07:55]
4. Think of someone you find difficult to connect with. How can you practice genuine interest in their well-being, as exemplified by Larry Langdon in the sermon? [08:30]
5. The sermon encourages us to be agents of healing in a divided world. What is one practical way you can fill in the cracks of division with love and acceptance in your daily interactions? [10:01]
6. Consider a situation where you might have unintentionally contributed to division. How can you seek reconciliation and promote unity in that context? [03:18]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of asking others about their well-being into your daily routine, and what impact might this have on your relationships? [09:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Language as a Tool for Unity and Division
In a world where language and cultural markers often serve as tools for division, we are reminded of the biblical concept of "shibboleth." This term, originating from Judges 12, was used as a linguistic test to separate and destroy. Throughout history, similar markers have been used to exclude and harm, as seen in events like the Parsley Massacre. As followers of Christ, we are called to be vigilant against such divisions in our own lives and communities. Instead, we should strive for unity and acceptance, breaking down barriers that separate us from one another. [03:18]
"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" (Matthew 5:46-47, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you used language or cultural markers to judge or exclude someone. How can you actively work to create unity and acceptance in your interactions today?
Day 2: Embracing Radical Inclusion
Jesus' message of radical inclusion challenges us to break down barriers and embrace all people, regardless of societal or cultural distinctions. His life was a testament to the power of love and acceptance over exclusion. Jesus consistently welcomed those marginalized by society, such as tax collectors, Roman centurions, and lepers. As His followers, we are called to continue His work by being agents of healing and inclusion in a divided world. [07:41]
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him." (Romans 10:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is often excluded or marginalized. How can you extend radical inclusion and love to them this week?
Day 3: The Power of Genuine Interest
Genuine interest in others is a powerful tool for connection and acceptance. By focusing on others' needs and stories, we can foster deeper relationships and reflect the love of Christ. Even if initially feigned, acting interested can lead to genuine care and concern for others. This practice opens us to God's grace, transforming our interactions and relationships. [09:08]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you interact with regularly. How can you show genuine interest in their life and well-being today?
Day 4: Practicing Intentional Care
Acting interested, even when it doesn't come naturally, can lead to genuine care and concern for others. This practice opens us to God's grace, transforming our interactions and relationships. By prioritizing others' well-being, we reflect the love of Christ and become agents of His grace in the world. [09:32]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conversation where you struggled to show interest. How can you intentionally practice care and concern in your next interaction?
Day 5: Breaking Down Walls of Division
Jesus' life exemplified radical acceptance and love for all people. As His followers, we are called to continue His work, breaking down the walls of division and being good news of great joy for everyone we encounter. In a world divided by shibboleths, we are invited to be agents of healing, filling in the cracks of division with love and acceptance. [10:01]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a "wall" of division in your community or relationships. What steps can you take to break down this wall and promote healing and unity?
Quotes
we're learning about radical acceptance in this advent season and the good news of the season is that god took on flesh became one of us to radically accept us and then one of the basic commandments from the apostle paul in the new testament is that we're to accept each other just as god in christ has accepted us [00:27:16]
the shibboleth is an idea or a distinction or a word it could be a practice that's used to divide people or to separate people and often in our day the idea of a shibboleth is connected with a notion that is discredited or outmoded or discarded the idea that a woman could not be a great leader is a shibboleth [01:07:04]
tribalism us versus them people inside my group versus those that are outside my group is the oldest distinction in the human race as old as cain and abel the gileadites captured the forwards of the jordan leading to ephraim and whenever a survivor of ephraim said let me cross over the men of gilead asked are you an ephromite [02:20:88]
so shiblet the word hardly used at all in the bible is a word that was used uh to separate our group from their group their group had this oddity where they couldn't pronounce it the way that we do and that let us know you're one of them you're not one of us and we don't like you and so there's this massive destruction [03:12:08]
in the early days of the first century in jesus time folks will write about how the rabbi spent most of their time teaching on circumcision dietary laws or sabbath keeping now why is that because everybody knew that wasn't the essence of the law the heart of the law is love god with everything you've got love your neighbor as yourself [05:30:32]
the angels appear to the shepherds and they say don't be afraid for i bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people and that's the other word one word is shibboleth divide separate distinguish destroy reject condemn you're one of them and now the advent word the jesus word is the word all all people [06:24:96]
jesus lives and he gets in trouble because he violates the shibboleths all the time he just welcomes anybody who will come to him tax collectors roman centurions lepers prostitutes women that have been married multiple times scandalized people people on the margins now this is good news for everybody [07:41:36]
anytime you're with larry and you ask him larry how are you doing he will always say more important how are you doing and he will always look for a way to connect with you he is always interested in you and he lives to help he loves to help he longs to help so today when when you come into contact with anybody listen to them [08:30:56]
and be interested and here's the little secret that will help if you can't genuinely be interested act interested and the strangest thing will happen uh if you ask god's help in this and seek to act interested in somebody ask them a question and instead of thinking about what am i going to say next pay attention to what it is that they're saying [08:52:24]
god gives us a kind of a gift and we can begin by acting interested but he will give us the grace of being interested in everybody and that was jesus that was supremely jesus there simply is never any encounter jesus has with anybody where he is not interested in them where he does not want to help and bless them [09:25:36]
in a world wracked and tormented and separated by shibboleths today break the shibboleth no crack in the foundation jesus came to heal that crack he's torn down the dividing wall of hostility he has filled in the crack to jesus everybody is somebody that he loves today radically accept today you and i be good news of great joy for all people [10:01:12]
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