Reds or Greens?

            Several years ago, Gene Brown shared a story that conveys the idea of how insidious the sin of prejudice is:

            Two apples up in a tree were looking down on the world. The first apple said, "Look at all those people fighting, robbing, rioting -- no one seems willing to get along with his fellow man. Someday we apples will be the only ones left. Then we'll rule the world." 

            Replied the second apple, "Which of us -- the reds or the greens?"

Judging by Appearances

            A favorite story of mine is the one about a juggler who is driving to his next performance and is stopped by the police. "What are those machetes doing in your car?" asks the cop.

            "I juggle them in my act."

            "Oh, yeah?" says the doubtful cop. "Let's see you do it." The juggler gets out and starts tossing and catching the knives. Another man driving by slows down to watch.

            "Wow," says the passer-by. "I'm glad I quit drinking. Look at the test they're giving now!"

            In the gospel of John, a number of people judge Jesus by his appearance and earthly pedigree. Jesus tells them, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24 ESV). In spite of his warning, the majority of the people do judge him by appearances. They never recover from their mistake.