Do Not Enter!

Many of us have heard about the Civil Rights Movement were many brave men and woman fought for equality.

Many business, schools, and churches in the south did not allow african americans to enter their premises.

What you may not have heard is that mexicans experienced much of the same treatment.

This sign (photo) was distributed throughout the state of Texas and in many surrounding states: No dogs, no negroes, and no mexicans.

Mexicans and african americans were treated as if they were dogs and were not allowed entry in various public areas.

Why?

Simply to show them - you are not like me, I am better than you, I am worthy and you are not.

In Paul’s day there was a very similar sign posted along the walls near the Jerusalem Temple and it said:

"No foreigner shall enter within the court and the area around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his subsequent death."

The word foreigner referred to any person that was not of jewish descent - any non-jew.

If you were not a jew and dared to enter the temple you could be arrested and be executed on the spot.

This sign was sending a clear message to non-jews: You are not like us, we are better than you, we are worthy and you are not.

In fact, Paul was being accused of taking a non-jew into the temple:

Hechos de los Apóstoles 21:27–29 NIV

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

Paul was being falsely accused.

He had done no such thing.

Trophimus had never entered the temple with Paul - Paul knew this was forbidden and would not carelessly do something that would put his life at risk.

But what was behind all this commotion?

What was behind the people’s anger?

If you really think about it…it really wasn’t because someone who was not a jew would dare step inside the temple.

What they were really upset, angry, and disgusted, was that Paul was preaching to non jews and telling them that they could become the people of God.

They were upset that non jews were hearing God’s Word.

They were upset that non jews were being told that if they believed in Jesus, that they could also become children of Abraham.

They were upset that non jews were starting to call God - Abba Father.

Ultimately, this is why Christianity is such wonderful news to humanity.

Christianity teaches that every person, no matter their ethnicity, their language, their culture, their upbringing, every single person is in need of salvation because they have sinned against God.

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died for the sings of every kind of person. He did not die only for jews, or for Africans, or Asians, or Europeans, or people from the Americas. Jesus Christ died such that any one who believes can be saved.

Christianity teaches that one day, we will join our voice with people from every people, tribe, and language.

Apocalipsis 7:9–10 NIV

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”