Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: EQUALITY (08/17/23)
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TITLE: Through Christ | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gloria Pierre Dean
08/23/23 -
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“How did Jesus show equality to people?” a student queried.
“He did so when he honored a socially rejected Samaritan woman. He spoke to her. She was an outcast, yet he spent time with her, and she was an adulterer”.
“Why was she treated differently by people?” asked another student.
“In those days, the Samaritans were not considered equal to other people groups, and they were shunned. She came to the well at midday when the local people did not and Jesus knew that.”
“He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back. I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
[John 4:16 -18}
“I know people who are treated differently!” said another student reflectively.
“Mmmmmhh” A sound of agreement went out.
Theresa said “ I know about the bullying and the ostracization that some students experience. Even in a Christian school these things happen”
“So, why are some people in society treated differently?” asked another student.
“Well,” said Theresa. ” Let us examine what is considered different or…, let's call it inequality!”
Theresa continued,
“History does show that there were and are fundamental differences in people. Tools are used to socially differentiate and in them we see inequality. Such things as intellectual abilities, race, political party affiliation, physical appearance, wealth or poverty, way of life, things people like or dislike, and their beliefs. Let’s focus on one issue. Let’s examine the issue of gender inequality...
So,.what is it?”
On the overhead projector, she displayed a statement made by The Peace Corps.
“Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making power for women and men.
Globally, women have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men, less access to basic and higher education, greater health and safety risks, and less political representation”. {https://www.peacecorps.gov/educators/resources/global-issues-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment/#}
The conclusion is that globally women have less than men in many areas such as access to education and maternal care... In some developing nations, many girls have no access to education. Many are made to marry as teenagers and have children. They then have limited or no access to prenatal maternal care. The Peace Corps report states, that “Approximately one-quarter of girls in the developing world do not attend school. Typically, families with limited means who cannot afford costs such as school fees, uniforms, and supplies for all of their children will prioritize education for their sons. Families may also rely on girls' labor for household chores, carrying water, and childcare, leaving limited time for schooling.”...
Many countries do a great job of gender equality while many do not”.
The class went quiet.
Theresa spoke into the silence and said “Amazingly, as you know, there is hope. The hope is that we still have one area of perfect equality. Jesus is equal with His Father, and we are His. Salvation and redemption were given to mankind by Jesus. He was brutally crucified so that we can become ‘one new man’ in Him”.
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man”,..{Ephesians 2:14}.
“For God does not show favoritism” [Romans 2:11}.
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. {Acts 4:34-35}
God gave us The only free passport, The Way to unity and equality when he sent Jesus to earth. Like the woman at the well, he seeks us out. Those who follow Christ are equal in His eyes. They, we are one body; through Christ! In the New Covenant, God treats and loves us all the same. His grace, mercy, and healing are accessible to all, equally.
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