4. NO PERSON IS WORTH MORE, AND NO PERSON IS WORTH LESS THAN ANY OTHER PERSON.
(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.)
HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO THINK THAT YOU ARE NO MORE VALUABLE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON?
HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO THINK THAT YOU ARE NO LESS VALUABLE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON.
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN HISTORY WHO HAVE INFLICTED EXTREME VIOLENCE ON OTHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, HITLER AND THE HOLOCAUST. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE IDEA THAT HITLER WAS JUST AS VALUABLE AS YOU ARE?
IN HIS INCARNATION, JESUS TOOK ON THE FULL CHARACTERISTICS OF A HUMAN. WAS JESUS MORE VALUABLE THAN YOU?
As we work to affirm the immense value of the human person, it is also important to hold the reality that no person is worth more than another. Every person, by virtue of being human, has equal worth. The United States Declaration of Independence declares, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Jesus teaches similarly in Matthew 5:43-48:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (NASB)
The equality of worth that every person possesses is first presented by Jesus in his instructions on how to treat others. But then Jesus adds, as support for this, that God doesn't treat people differently, that he sends rain on everyone, and everyone gets a sunrise. This was likely a radical statement to a Jewish community that put stock in being God's "special" and "chosen" people. And as Christ-followers today, we could add that following Jesus adds nothing to our worth as human beings.
The agnostic, atheist, Buddhist, and Muslim all are equally valuable in God’s sight as the Christian. Our belief in God, our service to God, and even our love for Jesus have no bearing on our worth as humans. Furthermore, Jesus is asking us to treat everyone, even those who may be different from us, with equal value. This is the way of perfection that is part of who God is, and Jesus is inviting us into this perfect way. The minute we begin to ascribe differing values to individuals or people groups, we are failing to live as Jesus taught us.