Summary

The text discusses the theme of outsiderhood through the lens of Jesus' life and the experiences of ESL students, emphasizing the importance of belonging, understanding one's purpose, and finding self-worth beyond societal acceptance.

Abstract

The article draws parallels between the experiences of Jesus as an outsider and the struggles of English as a Second Language (ESL) students to fit into a new culture. It highlights the significance of Jesus' humble beginnings in a manger, symbolizing his lifelong journey of not belonging to any particular social group. The narrative extends to the challenges faced by ESL students who resonate with the character Ponyboy Curtis from "The Outsiders," finding solace in the shared experience of feeling out of place. The text outlines four principles for outsiders to live by: creating a community with those who are open to you, maintaining a clear understanding of one's guiding principles or "north star," deriving self-worth from a higher power rather than societal acceptance, and focusing on one's mission despite external pressures.

Opinions

Jesus' life as an outsider is seen as an omen for his role as a savior who transcends worldly stations.
The author suggests that the feeling of not belonging is a universal part of the human condition, not limited to any one group or individual.
ESL students' connection to Ponyboy Curtis illustrates the power of storytelling in helping individuals navigate their feelings of alienation.
The article posits that attempting to gain universal love and acceptance is futile and that one should cherish those who truly love and understand them.
Jesus' example teaches that one's sense of self-worth should come from within, or from a divine source, rather than external validation.
The author encourages readers to identify and remain true to their "north star," or core values, even in the face of adversity.
The text emphasizes the importance of focusing on one's mission and not being swayed by the demands or opinions of the crowd.

Four Principles for Outsiders

What to do when you don’t belong

Significantly, Jesus was first placed in a manger “because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7b, NIV). This is no way for a king to start life. The savior of the world was born and his first cradle was a feeding trough for goats and sheep. He was relegated to the outside room where they would bring the animals in from the cold winds. As it turns out, it was an omen for what the rest of his life will look like.

The Outsiders

My wife teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) in a public Jr. High School. Her students come from all over the world and often have a very difficult time fitting in. They don’t speak the language. They don’t understand American culture. The first few months they cling to my wife for dear life, unsure of how to navigate the already difficult waters of adolescence. They don’t feel like they belong.

Each year her class watches the movie, “The Outsiders,” based on the novel by S.E. Hinton. The protagonist in the story, Ponyboy Curtis, born into a poor neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, doesn’t fit in anywhere. He’s too smart and sensitive to be one of the Greasers, the gang of rough kids who live around him. He’s not rich enough to be a Soc. Instead, he’s stuck in the middle, trying to find his way amidst the violence and upheaval of a social class war.

The kids in my wife’s ESL class get it. They resonate with Ponyboy and realize that what they are feeling is not unique to their own lives, but is a part of the human condition.

Jesus, the outsider

Jesus certainly felt it. He never quite belonged. He was never accepted by most. There was no station in life that could contain him.

At the age of twelve, when it was time for him to start learning the family trade, he ran away from home (Lk. 2:43). His parents searched for him and found him in the Jerusalem temple debating and impressing the biblical scholars of the day.

Mary, his mother scolded him. He told her, “Where did you expect me to be? This is the closest thing to home for me — my Father’s house. This is where I belong” (Lk. 2:49, paraphrased). But, he didn’t belong. They didn’t want him.

He tried the Baptizer movement. It was appealing to him because it was located outside of the corridors of power — outside of the accepted society. Outside was a place that was very familiar to Jesus.

John the Baptizer affirmed Jesus, at first (Jn. 1:29). But, then John was arrested and Jesus was forced to leave the movement (Mt. 4:12). They were unsure of him. He didn’t belong.

Jesus tried preaching in Nazareth, the village where he was raised. They rejected him (Lk. 4:16–30). He didn’t belong.

He tried preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. They ousted him (Jn. 9:22). He didn’t belong.

Eventually, he was forced into isolation — pushed to the margins. No town or village wanted him (Jn. 11:54). The ruling powers demonized him (Mk. 3:22; Jn. 8:48–59). He didn’t belong.

This shouldn’t be a surprise.

Four principles for outsiders

Jesus, the ultimate outsider, never really belonged in this world. He brought something from another world to us — light for our darkness — love for our hatred — forgiveness for our sins. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (Jn. 1:11, NIV).

So, what can we learn about being an outsider? What do you do when you don’t quite belong?

1. He surrounded himself with the few who were open to him.

Jesus created a family — a fictive kinship group — with those who had faith in him. They didn’t always understand him. They weren’t always faithful to his teachings. But, their hearts were with him.

Don’t neglect those who truly love you in some futile attempt to convince everyone to love you.

2. He had a deep understanding of his “north star.”

Jesus lived his life out of a deep belief that love would conquer everything. This was his “north star” — his guiding principle. He never veered from it, even when it meant submitting to the cross.

Know what your “north star” is and never, ever cash it in for popularity or acceptance or worldly success.

3. He found his sense of self-worth in the One who sent him.

The in-crowd despised Jesus. His teachings were a threat to their way of life. Eventually, his existence became intolerable to them (Mt. 26:4; Mk. 11:18; Lk. 19:47).

Jesus never received his sense of self-worth from what they thought of him. He knew that he came from the Father, was someday returning to the Father, and was loved by the Father (Jn. 10:30; 17:21). That’s all Jesus needed.

You are “the Beloved” of the Father. Let that be enough.

4. He focused on his one mission.

Jesus was not enamored with what others thought of him. He did not let himself get derailed by the demands of the crowd. When the people wanted more miracles, he demurred. When the masses wanted more time with him, he said to his disciples: “Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mk. 1:38, NIV).

Know and understand why you were born. Then let nothing derail you from that one purpose.