The inclusive Christ
As we read the New Testament we cannot escape the fact that Jesus loved all the earth's people. No matter their age, their culture, their race and their station in life, Jesus saw them all as God's children whom God loved.
Being God Incarnate, Jesus showed that love to all whom he met.
When Jesus' disciples were annoyed by little children seeking to be close to him, the Master said, "Let the little children come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Jesus showed compassion for those who were sick of body, mind and spirit. Remember the stories of lepers, paralytics and the mentally ill who sought cures? While others shunned these less fortunate people, Jesus touched them with the love of God and healed them.
Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and to pray for those who would harm us. He was asking us to do something that is contrary to our human nature. While we are tempted to retaliate, Jesus, having the mind of God, knew that love is a stronger force than violence.
When Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor he was not referring only to people who live next to us. He told us that anyone in need is our neighbor and is to be loved by us.
When we were commanded by Jesus to "feed His sheep," he was asking us to have compassion not only for the hungry of our community, but for the hungry of the world.
The inclusiveness of Christ is well summed up in the motto of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society: "In Christ's love, everyone is someone."