Was Jesus a Separatist? A Radical Question for Christmas
We live in a world deeply divided. Whether it’s politics, culture, or religion, we’ve become experts at drawing lines and excluding those who don’t think, act, or believe the way we do. Even within communities that claim to follow Jesus, his teachings of radical love and unity often seem overshadowed by division and judgment.
So, here’s a question worth asking this Christmas:
Was Jesus a separatist?
The answer is a resounding no. Jesus didn’t exclude people for thinking differently—he invited them in. He didn’t shy away from those society deemed unworthy or “wrong”—he embraced them. His message wasn’t about choosing sides but about breaking down barriers.
Through his actions—speaking to outcasts, healing on the Sabbath, and even turning over tables in the temple—Jesus showed us what it means to live with radical love and unity. These stories challenge us to confront the patterns of exclusion in our own lives and ask:
Are we embodying the kind of love Jesus modeled?
Are we creating unity in a world stuck in patterns of exclusion?
Setting the Stage for the Radical Unifier
From his compassionate conversation with the Samaritan woman to his bold actions in the temple, Jesus’ radical inclusivity and love offer a powerful challenge to the divisions of our modern world. As we explore his life and teachings, let’s ask ourselves:
How can we embody the kind of love that Jesus modeled?
How can we create unity in a world stuck in patterns of exclusion?
1. Jesus the Radical Unifier
The Samaritan Woman at the Well: Breaking Barriers and Offering Living Water
One of the most radical moments in Jesus’ ministry is his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). In this story, Jesus breaks through every societal and cultural norm of his time:
He speaks to a Samaritan. Jews and Samaritans avoided each other due to deep-seated religious and cultural divisions.
He speaks to a woman. In his time, it was rare and even scandalous for a man to address a woman alone in public.
He speaks to someone with a troubled past. Jesus acknowledges her life circumstances, saying, “You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” (John 4:18). Yet, instead of condemning her, he offers her the most profound truths.
In their conversation, Jesus reveals:
He is the source of living water—a spiritual sustenance that satisfies the soul’s deepest thirst (John 4:13-14).
True worship is not about location or tradition but about spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
He is the Messiah (John 4:26).
By engaging with her, Jesus shows that God’s grace and truth are for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or past mistakes. This act of radical inclusion reminds us that no one is beyond love or redemption.
Reflection:
It’s wild to think about, isn’t it? Jesus didn’t hesitate to share deep truths with someone society had written off. If we’re being honest, how often do we write people off for far less? Who in our lives do we overlook or dismiss because of their background or circumstances? How can we follow Jesus’ example of radical inclusion?
2. The Good Samaritan: Loving Beyond Boundaries
(Luke 10:25-37)
In response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells a story that shatters expectations:
A man is attacked by robbers and left for dead. Two religious figures—a priest and a Levite—pass by without offering help. Finally, a Samaritan—a member of a group despised by the Jewish people—stops, tends to the man’s wounds, and ensures his care.
Jesus delivers a profound truth:
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:36-37).
Why This Was Radical:
At the time, Samaritans were seen as outsiders who didn’t belong. By elevating a Samaritan as the example of love and compassion, Jesus turned societal prejudices upside down and redefined the meaning of “neighbor.”
Reflection:
The term Good Samaritan is now synonymous with kindness, but in Jesus’ time, it was radical and disruptive. Who are the “Samaritans” in our world today—those judged or excluded? How can we embody Jesus’ radical compassion?
3. Dining with Sinners and Tax Collectors: Radical Inclusion
(Matthew 9:9-13)
One of the most shocking aspects of Jesus’ ministry was his willingness to associate with people society deemed unworthy—tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts. Yet, Jesus not only welcomed them into his circle; he shared meals with them, an act that symbolized deep connection and acceptance.
Jesus’ response to criticism from the Pharisees:
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13).
Why This Was Radical:
In a society obsessed with purity and exclusion, Jesus flipped the narrative. He didn’t come to reinforce societal hierarchies or moral superiority. Instead, he came to heal, love, and include those who were most in need of grace.
Reflection:
Jesus didn’t just talk about inclusion—he lived it. And nothing says ‘all are welcome’ like pulling up a chair at the table. How often do we avoid or judge people because of their mistakes or circumstances? What would it look like to create a “table” in our own lives where everyone feels welcome?
4. Healing on the Sabbath: Compassion Over Legalism
(Luke 13:10-17)
Jesus healed a woman crippled for 18 years on the Sabbath, challenging the rigid rules of his time. His response to criticism was pointed:
“Should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16).
Why This Was Radical:
Jesus placed human need above religious rules, emphasizing that love and grace cannot be confined by legalism.
Reflection:
When religious leaders got stuck on rules, Jesus reminded them—loudly—that compassion trumps legalism every single time. Are there areas in our lives where we let rules or traditions prevent us from showing compassion? How can we prioritize love and kindness over rigid expectations?
5. Turning the Tables: Confronting Corruption and Exploitation
(Matthew 21:12-13)
Jesus drove out merchants and money changers from the temple, saying:
“My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
Why This Was Radical:
This act was a bold stand against corruption and greed in sacred spaces, showing that God’s house is meant for prayer, not profit.
Reflection:
Where do we see corruption or exploitation today? How can we, like Jesus, take bold steps to stand against injustice?
What Does This Mean for Christmas?
Christmas is more than a holiday—it’s a call to reflect on Jesus’ life of radical love and unity. His teachings challenge us to:
Love beyond boundaries.
Extend grace freely.
Stand for justice courageously.
Conclusion: A Call to Radical Love and Unity
As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, let’s remember his radical, transformative life. Let’s carry his teachings into the new year:
Choose unity over division.
Practice radical inclusion, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Love fiercely, even when it’s hard.
This Christmas, may the radical love and unity of Jesus guide us—not just for a season, but every day. This Christmas, let’s not play it safe. Let’s love boldly, radically, and without boundaries—because that’s exactly what Jesus would do.