Racial, Spacial or Facial Profiling . . . It was an issue in Jesus' day and still is today. Many today are wrongly accused or wrongly assumed because of skin color, hairstyle, facial hair, and stature. Folks are profiled by zip code or family name. Entire cultures are labeled at times. All wrong and sinful . . .The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:43-46)
We all hear of tragedy after tragedy of people racially profiled by skin color. I recently heard a testimony from a very popular TV reality show what that he was once mistaken for homeless because of his long hair, shaggy beard, and jeans. . . yet he is one of most dedicated CHRISTians I know. . . facially profiled!
Nazareth comes from the Hebrew meaning "branch". Jesus was the righteous branch (Jeremiah 23:5-6) of David. He was the Nazarene! Yet despite the prophesies, Nathaniel did as many do and simply went by popular culture and believed the label, rather than the Truth.
We must be wary as believers to not buy into the present day culture and biases. Look past color, dress, hairstyle and language. Dismiss stereotypes.
Nathaniel nearly missed the Savior! What are we missing by falling into this trap? It is nothing but SIN!!!!
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