Jesus wants us to edify and to build up one another. Those who are strong may think, "We have no reason to suffer for those who are weak." But this passage mentions that those who are strong must bear with the failing of the weak. In our practical and ever competing society, this may sound wrong. We may say, those who are weak should take care of themselves, and those who are strong must gain whatever they deserve. But Jesus showed us personally that he bore our weakness. Verse 3 says, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." All the insult that we should receive because of all our sins and weaknesses, which we should bear, has fallen on Jesus. Jesus is God himself and the sinless Son of God. Jesus had no reason to be insulted. However, he took all our insults because he loved us. Jesus wants us to have the same mind and attitude for one another so we may glorify God.

Since Jesus, who is God himself, accepted us ugly sinners, we must accept one another no matter what. Because of Jesus' love and mercy, even all Gentiles were accepted in God's family. We, who are Gentiles, have hope of the kingdom of God because of Jesus' one-sided love for us.


Application: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins even though we are Gentiles. Help us to accept one another and to build up the body of Christ and glorify your name.
One Word: Accept one another in Christ.