Race and Adoption

Many wonder how the issue of race plays a part in adoption. To me it really is not an issue. God loves all; therefore, we are called to do the same. I have inserted my notes for tonight's sermon. It illustrates my personal opinion and I believe God's too. 

In our world today hatred is rampant. One group dislikes another because of the color of their skin, or because of some action. Life can be very complicated and emotions can get in the way of rational Christ-like thought. It may be portrayed that this hatred is new or is growing, but the culture which Jesus lived in had many issues as well. The Romans hated the Jews and the Jews hated the Samaritans. Jews were not suppose to walk through Samaria much less speak to one. John goes out of his way to recount the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

John 4:4-9 “He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.[b] She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink? Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

There are two important lessons that Jesus teaches us here in this short story. First, Jesus is our example in race relations. God does not care the color of a person’s skin, the language or culture of a person, He cares about the heart. Those who spout that they are Christians and racists do not understand our loving and compassionate God. The second lesson we learn is that Jesus is the source of salvation. When you put the two lessons together, Jesus loves all peoples and wants all to come to Him for forgiveness. Our God is a loving God. Our treatment of those who are different from us shows how well we understand the character of Christ. How do you treat people? What if they look different, eat different, speak different, dress different, act different, or have different interests? Do you treat them all with the love of Christ? Christ loved you enough to save you. If He loves you this much, he loves the person sitting across the lunch room or the class room the same. Christ will not show up in your school, but you do every day. You are the Christ that they will see. How are you representing the one who saved you?