Everyone is special

Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Wouldn't it sound better---Isaac and Rebekah loved Esau and Jacob? Shouldn't parents love all their children equally?

But Isaac especially loved Esau and Rebekah especially loved Jacob. That's called 'respect of persons.'

As we study this story, we will see how this 'love problem' caused many problems. In fact, Jacob carried this trait into his family and favoured Joseph. Look where that got Joseph!

The Bible teaches us to treat people equally. That doesn't mean that we can't be closer to some people than others and get on with one person better than another.

But it does mean that we shouldn't be friendly to someone because they're pretty and be rude to someone else who's not very attractive. We shouldn't show favouritism because of someone's outward appearance.

It's easy to think, 'Oh, I wouldn't do that!' but... we do.

Are we just as friendly to people we really don't like the look of as we are to people we like?

I must admit I am not always.

Today I read a story of a primary school boy in my town who tried to commit suicide because he was sick of being taunted about his size and his skin condition. He's not the first.

I hope none of us would ever be guilty of taunting someone like that. Yet, we may be guilty in other ways---like just ignoring them or not making any effort to make them feel welcome.

Every single person is special no matter what they look like, no matter what shape or size they are or what disability they may have.