Jesus often speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is similar, in concept, to a nation of people. We can’t know everyone within a nation, but we do make relationships with people near us. During the month of November we looked at how we can create a Community of Christ within the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the first lessons we learn from Jesus is that He’s not particular about who wants to be part of His Kingdom. Neither should we be quick to judge brothers and sisters who want to be part of our community. Instead of looking at people first by a label (FIP, beggar, tourist, hooligan or harlot), we need to see them first as “human.” They are as we are. Then we should consider what circumstances in life formed them into the persons they are. This is both the basis of compassion and the beginning of a Community of Christ (Matthew 9:9-13).

It is very easy to value the people who are like us or whom we most want to be like. A Community of Christ welcomes such people, but Jesus exhorts us to value those we find harder to accept. These might include obnoxious people, people with weight or other physical-appearance problems or those whose age makes them “not part of my group.” We need to acknowledge them and encourage them. This is not so much for their sake as it is to smooth the hard edges of our own heart and spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12-26, James 2:1-5).

We need to make a point of being aware of others’ situations. Can we name the greatest challenges and joys of those in our midst? Do we make sure that newcomers know they are welcome? If we are outgoing, we can greet guests and introduce them to others. If we are quiet servers, we can offer invitations to activities such as scrapbooking, football, sewing or hunting (3 John 5-12, Acts 9:36-42, 1 Peter 4:9-10).

I’ll close with Jesus’ words (Matthew 9:9-13), as recorded in The Message: The Pharisees had a fit and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?” Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”