What often dictates how honorable or rude we will act towards a person is his or her level of standing. There are things we would say in front of our closest friends but never say in front of our bosses. There are things we would never do to a person in high standing, but we might do to one of our family members. Very often our level of rudeness is determined by what the other person can offer us. If they can offer us money, fame, notoriety, friendship, or something we value, then we cater to that with our politeness and respect. But consider Jesus who was actually most polite and honorable around those society shunned: Samaritan woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, tax collectors, and prostitutes. Those who had the most to “offer”, the Pharisees, Jesus perhaps acted his least honorable around them. Did He love them? Yes. Did he try to please them to get something in return? No. Jesus showed His love by acting honorably around those whom society deemed had no honor. Likewise, may our love be honorable and not rude.
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