Cocooning

From 4/20/2007 (D. Lau)

Tax collectors (Luke 19, "worst of sinners")

Stereotype:          the sinners

Normal reaction:     judgment

Jesus' reaction:     befriends them

Modern day examples: homosexual community

Sick (Mark 1)

Stereotype:          unclean, outcasts, untouchable

Normal reaction:     avoided

Jesus' reaction:     touched and healed them

Modern day examples: homeless, AIDS, mentally ill

Children (Matt 19:13-15)

Stereotype:          insignificant
Normal reaction:     dismissed, rebuked
Jesus' reaction:     "do not hinder them"; welcomed them
Modern day examples: young, elderly

Samaritans (John 4; half-breeds due to captivity of Northern Kingdom and 1/2 Jew)

Stereotype:          traitors
Normal reaction:     avoided
Jesus' reaction:     interacted with
Modern day examples: other religions, ethnicities

Jesus invites himself over!