The division in the phrase “us and them” creates much disharmony in our world. It does not make for peace. It excuses lack of love, especially if we can demonize and dehumanize “them”, making “them” unworthy of our love. It sets “us” up as the favored and lowers “them” to the unfavored. It has no grace for “them” but lots of grace for “us”. “Us and them” is the wall that the Prince of Peace came to break down. The Messiah sits on His throne, now working with zeal to take down the “us and them” barriers between people. Peacemakers do His work by spanning these divides, and are blessed for doing so (Matt 5:9).
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
