“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’, have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4)  We continue with James this week and we run right into some very strong words.  Once again, we see the connection between our beliefs and our actions.  The author equates showing favoritism to the wealthy with a lack of belief in Jesus.  Isn’t it amazing that the way in which we treat one another reveals our deepest beliefs?  Add to that the way that James describes Jesus here: “our glorious Lord.”  You see Jesus has redefined glory.  He has put aside all the eternal wealth and prestige of heaven in order to dwell among us and die the most shameful death imaginable.  Therefore, when we show favoritism it is far more than “going along to get along” or “one hand washing the other.”  It is a basic rejection of the way of our Savior. You and I are now invited and given the power to favor those who are forgotten: the least, the last and the lost.  And in doing so, we come to better understand and love our elder brother. For to believe that Jesus Christ is our elder brother is to accept the accompanying reality that all others (regardless of their net worth) are our brothers and sisters.  There’s just no getting around that!  In other words, are you and I open to beholding Jesus in all the people who may cross our path?  Perhaps especially those with whom we seem to have little in common.  Anyone come to mind?  Can we see Jesus in the faces of the poor and the wealthy?  Have a great week.