Unique and Included in the Body of Christ

In a recent interview in The Sun magazine, sociologist Mark Moffett noted, “…people have the most self-esteem when they achieve a balance between their sense of uniqueness and their sense of inclusion. We want to be different enough to be special, yet similar enough to feel we belong.”

We don’t often think of Jesus as being a psychologist, but he nonetheless had a brilliant understanding of this ideal balance, likely gained by reflecting on his own life. At his baptism, he heard the voice of God say, “You are my beloved son.” He was uniquely loved by God, and as such, was included in the circle of those God loves. Through the nudging of the Holy Spirit, he came to understand that this applied not just to him but to everyone: prodigals, prostitutes, and tax collectors are uniquely loved by God. Women, Samaritans, and lepers are included in the circle of God’s kingdom.

Jesus proclaimed his unique love for each of us when he said, “I have called you friends.” We love all our friends, but not each in the same way. Just so, Christ loves each of us uniquely. Jesus also expanded our understanding of who is included in God’s kingdom by using bread and wine to represent his body and blood: all who eat and drink of it become part of the body of Christ. It was a more expansive covenant than the one God established with the Israelites; now not just one tribe was included in the covenant, but anyone, Jew or gentile, who followed Jesus’ command to love. Thus, in Christ we are provided both an understanding of our uniqueness and a sense of inclusion and belonging.

In The Sun interview, Mark Moffett also noted, “There’s no question that the human ability to be around strangers whom we nevertheless see as ‘one of us’ is a pretty unique trait, just as important to us as our opposable thumbs or our upright stance.” It is certainly an essential ability for those who wish to live in the kingdom of God, where “the stranger” is always welcomed and included in God’s ever-expanding circle of friends, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, occupation, country of origin, or status.