Monsters Need Love Too

Years ago I didn’t want to see the 2001 Pixar Animation Studios movie Monsters, Inc.  However, I went anyway and was glad I did.  The “monsters in the closet” were scary and real to little children, however as the movie unfolds, you realize those monsters are not really fiends to be avoided, but have regular lives, families, feelings, and are trying to make a living in their world. Get this: They thought people like you and I were monsters.  In fact, as you get to know those characters, you become sympathetic to their struggles, maybe even have empathy toward them, and possibly love them.  As I walked to the car after seeing the movie, I wondered to myself: “Who are “monsters” to me?”

When most of us were young, our parents taught us to beware of certain types of people especially if your parents were Christians. Strangers, biker tattooed drinkers, politicians, tax collectors, those from a different culture or even different orientation, those in the other political party…you are possibly smiling to one side, as you agree or recall others in your head. Monsters to you as a kid.

  Our parent’s intention was protection. However, when we became adults, some of us kept that “beware” or even increased it to a graceless disdain for those other people, and refuse to be sympathetic to their struggles, nor show empathy toward them, or even love them.  Their view of Christians may come from that disdain which some even inflate to hate, and it’s wrong for us to perpetuate that error.  In other words, some people think we are a monster.

Jesus loves all people, even people kids were taught to avoid, and they were drawn to Him.  They could sense His love and a little understanding.  They also could sense his willingness to forgive them, and they had hope in Him for a better life.  It’s interesting the religious leaders of the day ridiculed Jesus for showing them some grace. Matthew 9:11-12

  Everyone sins. Some are reactions to life’s hardships and unfairness, or as Jesus said in John 16:33 “In this life, you will have tribulations.” Some sins are from bad choices, or from rebellion.  But, my point is all sins are equally horrible in the eyes of God, and we all have sinned, even you, and all can have our slate wiped clean freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23-24

  We all need Jesus to take away the penalty of those sins, He is the only way, and even called Himself a metaphoric “physician to the sick.”  To elitely single out others or other’s sins and think any of them are unworthy of what Jesus did for them on the cross is myopic, unloving, and very distasteful behavior. Grow up, and show a little of Jesus’ grace and love to your “monsters,” They may not be after all.

  Jesus calls them “neighbors”, and commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, which is the second greatest commandment.  When asked to define “neighbor”, He told about the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.  I’m sure you recall the story, which is a brilliant plot-twist in roles: A description of a “monster”…someone whom you were taught to avoid and wouldn’t normally love…is your neighbor.

  Jesus loves people “not normally loved” so much, He died on the cross for them, the least you can do is let them feel welcome in your (Jesus’) church, pray for them, or have coffee with them.  They need compassion, forgiveness, and a better life from Jesus like you did, and it’s difficult for them to find Him without you showing them love. 

You don’t have to change yourself and become one of them, and you don’t have to change them…that’s God’s job!  You just show them a little grace, maybe some compassion or empathy (love) and let them see the life-changing good news of Christ in you…they may want it too. Sully and Boo in the movie grew to care for each other, and helped each other through life’s struggles…

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