PODCAST

Missed Opportunity?

August 8th, 2025

Ephesians 2:14-22.

Many of the earliest Christians were Jews who began following Christ. Later, as disciples and followers expanded, Gentiles were added. These two groups were different in so many ways that it often became a distraction. The differences became focal points, which devolved into disputes, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities to love as Christ loves.

While it may be easy from our vantage point to dismiss these “ancient” arguments, perhaps if we stilled our thoughts for a moment and reflected, we might see spaces and people with whom we have missed opportunities to love like Christ. People who are different from us are hard to love. We gravitate to the similar, the familiar. Loving those who look, sound, and live like us is easy.

However, Christ did not establish the church so that everyone who is similar will have a place to hang out. The church exists as an extension of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is always searching for the one who is lost—no matter what they look, sound, or live like. Christ came to seek and save the lost and build a community that reflects kingdom values, not necessarily human values.

Where are your opportunities to love like Christ?

Author: Stefanie Hendrickson