God’s Great Equalizer

Equality is a real ‘now-word’. It’s something heard in the news, something people talk about. It’s fought and campaigned for, and being claimed as an inherent right for all. This sense of wanting equality for everyone (in particular, of course, for ourselves) must touch a real heart-string that’s deeply imbedded in human nature. After all, no one likes feeling second best.

Looking at the world today, it appears that more and more groups and factions are fighting to establish their right to be seen and treated as equal. Ironically, the more people clamour and fight for these rights, the more other sections of society seem to feel left behind. Is it possible that modern society finds itself in a self-perpetuating, hopeless cycle?

In light of this, I love contemplating the cross of Jesus Christ, as I believe that, only at the foot of the cross, do we find that which we, and all humankind, are looking for. I believe that the cross of Jesus is the one and only, genuine equalizer.
First of all, when we consider Jesus on the cross, we realise that each one of us is special. There He is, the Messiah, God the Son, sent to die for you and me, because we’re worth it in the eyes of our Creator. He loved us all so much that Jesus was sent from heaven to earth to die for our sins. Love, value, worth and gratitude stream into our hearts as we behold the man upon the cross. And as we look sideways we find that the person next to us is just as valuable as we are. Jesus died, not only for you or me, but for all of humankind. What love! - enough to satisfy us all.

Secondly, as we bow the knee and receive His mercy, we find that none of us are really worthy of this amazing love. Did we deserve it? Can we claim that we’ve earned His love, - or, indeed, that there’s anything good in us? Again, we find that we’re all alike. As Scripture says, ‘There is no one righteous, not even one’ (Romans 3:10). Looking around us, we find that each and every person, so loved by God, isn’t any better than anyone else. We’re all sinners loved by an amazing God. And so, we lose any perceived right to lift ourselves above others, and we stop feeling superior to others. All we can do is bow the knee together and worship God.

Perhaps you’re one of the people who feels hard done by, overlooked, oppressed or minimized. Perhaps you too, feel that you should be treated equally, more fairly. And perhaps you’re right. Maybe you haven’t been treated as you should have been. But can I encourage you that, only in light of the cross of Christ, will you find answers for your heart’s cry. He loves you just as much as He loves everyone else.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You that You love me just as much as anyone else. Thank You that You don’t play favourites, but that we’re all immeasurably loved by You. Help me to keep the cross of Jesus central in my life, and in particular, in my search for significance and value. Thank You for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.