Yesterday’s message was difficult to preach for one primary reason: προσωπολημψίαις (pronounced, “pros-oh-po-laymps-ee-ice”). It’s a Greek word translated “showing partiality” or “displaying favoritism,” and is used in James 2:1, “My brothers, do not show partiality having the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” The word is a combination of two Greek words, πρόσωπον (pronounced, “pros-oh-pon,” meaning countenance, face) and λαμβάνω (pronounced, “lam-ban-oh,” meaning to take away, remove). Putting them together the meaning refers to the idea of removing the face of, or perhaps looking away from, in a generic sense ignoring, or maybe a worse impression, dehumanizing someone by ignoring them in showing favoritism one over the other. It’s a fairly potent word and one that reflects the struggle of humanity, what is so deeply ingrained in all of us…even the preacher and any who profess faith in Jesus for their salvation.
When Adam and Eve first eat the fruit in disobedience, their expression towards one another is no longer defined by goodness and harmony (Genesis 2:18-25); instead, they express their newfound desire for autonomy by blame-shifting responsibility away from themselves and onto someone else // anything else // within range. Adam says to God, “This woman You gave me…!” And the woman says to God, “That snake over there tricked me…!” At the core of our sinfulness is the nature to judge others by our own self-acclaimed rightness. We are now ever self-righteous in our own eyes and will march always to the beat of our own drum in spite of the harm we cause in ourselves or in others.
Sin kills and breaks us apart both internally and externally, but in Christ we are made well again, whole and brought to life with the opportunity to live according to His Spirit. The word implanted within changes us (James 1:21); it saves our souls and provides the means by which the effects of mankind’s curse are reversed. By God’s Spirit, we’re enabled to begin weeding out the favoritism that is so deeply rooted, so prevalent in ourselves and in our society. In place of judgment, we extend mercy because we have received mercy. In place of favoritism, we extend kindness as ones who live every day in the Year of our Lord’s Favor.
The Year of Jubilee was a celebration for every 50th year in Israel's cycle of Sabbath years. It was designed to reestablish original family inheritances, which would invariably reverse whatever was lost by those with less. Leviticus says, "And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan" (Leviticus 25:10). Not much is known whether this was ever practiced throughout Israel's history; the Old Testament is rather silent regarding this celebration. However, Isaiah seems to describe a similar event in the application of Messiah's coming (read Isaiah 61) and Jesus applies the prophecy to Himself saying, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21). The implication is clear: Jesus has brought to fruition all that is intended in the Year of Jubilee by His arrival and redemptive work. Any and all who now believe in Him for salvation will experience salvific favor from the Lord, both Jew and Gentile alike.
In the television series “The Chosen” one of the great features is how Jesus is presented as looking individuals in the face, asking them to look up and often taking their face in his hands in order to make eye contact with them. He’s not ashamed of their past nor is he afraid of becoming stained by their sin. Instead, in humility he acknowledges each one and draws them to himself.
Are we not to do the same? I believe James is saying, “Yes! …as Jesus lived, so are His followers to be known.” We, who were spiritually-poor-made-Kingdom-rich because of our faith in Christ can now live by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and continually reject the feelings of favoritism so deeply ingrained and instead, extend Christ-like love, reaching out to all without partiality. We emulate our Savior, displaying His heartbeat for all mankind, knowing that we also have received Love in the unworthiness of our own sinfulness, mercy triumphing over judgment.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him?
James 2:5 (ESV)
Glorify. Train. Engage. 