The theme of this third week in Lent is blinded by prejudice. In a politicized culture such as our own, a natural first association with prejudice is racial prejudice; and indeed racial prejudice is a great sin, one through which Satan has brought great sorrow to humanity. But further examination of the heart should lead us to recognize that prejudice can be any preconceived notion or mental attitude about others that keeps us from seeing them as fellow human beings and treating them as image bearers of God. Repenting and turning from prejudice does not preclude seeking justice or making moral judgments based on God’s commandments, but it does mean that we are without excuse when fail to keep the second greatest commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). By both command and example, Jesus extends this command even to our enemies and to show mercy as we have opportunity.
Among the scriptures traditionally associated with this third week of Lent is Luke 10:25-37, where Jesus confounds the conventional expectations (and prejudice!) of many first century Jews by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. As you read this familiar passage, notice how it begins, with the question of a lawyer who is seeking to justify himself and consider in what way the story is an answer to the lawyer’s question.
Similarly, John 4 tells how Jesus shows mercy and indeed brings forgiveness and salvation to a woman who is an outcast, not only by Jews, but by her own people as well. Finally, James 2 warns us against showing prejudicial favoritism to those whom we consider valuable while neglecting others whom we deem of lesser value. James goes on to tell us that living faith shows itself in action. All these passages warn us that we have no right to judge the worthiness of our fellow image bearers nor to exalt ourselves over them. Rather than be blinded by prejudice, we are called to fulfill the royal law of love and show mercy where we can, to all who are made in the image of God.