Well If I were Jesus, I’d be God’s Favorite Too

Monday March 21, 2022

Created by Ethan Roberts

Romans 2:1–11 (NIV)

2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

Devotion

How does it feel when you know that you are someone’s favorite? When your partner says that you are their favorite person in the world or your friend tells you that you aren’t just their best friend, but their BESTEST best friend? You remember competing for your elders’ attention and knowing that, although you knew they could not say it, you were the kid they liked best of all. Being the favorite produces feelings of both pride and uniqueness, of value and validation. Why then, doesn’t God let me be God’s favorite?!

So often we confuse being special with being someone’s favorite. Our reading from Romans today reminds us that God does not play favorites, but God does play specials. Each of us is special to God, and that includes you. When you are someone’s favorite, they tend to ignore your faults. On the other hand, when you are special to someone your faults are recognized and, in a mysterious way, valued. Being a favorite means being loved in spite of your misgivings, while being special means being loved through them. Does one of those sound more like God to you?

You do not need to be God’s favorite. In fact, thinking that we are tends to lead to some pretty negative consequences. Being special to God means we can still have those senses of pride, uniqueness, value, and validation. Yet instead of having to pretend to be something we are not, we can rest assured that we are celebrated by God for who we truly are. I don’t know about you, but I think I’d take that over favoritism any day.

Question to consider with the picture: If God does not play favorites, then all are welcome at God’s table. Who are the people you purposefully or inadvertently keep from joining God’s table?

Prayer

Lord of Everlasting Love, thank you for choosing each of us as your beloved, welcoming all into the great family of God. Amen.