A People

In the bible, Jews are often referred to by a person's name.  They are sometimes called Israel, or Judah or Jacob.  Why?  Well, they are a people.  They are from a lineage, from a person.  To a believing Jew, American individualism makes no sense.  A person cannot do whatever they want.  A Jew is free, but not to be self-imploded.  They are aware of being part of a group larger than themselves.  They have responsibilities and obligations to the group.  Christians come from a person too.  They come from Jesus, the Christ.  Christians have responsibilities to one  another.  They cannot do whatever they please.  Early Christians shared their wealth.  Freedom means that a Christian is free to be a Christian, with obligations to God and one another.  A mother is part of a family and she knows that her freedom has restrictions in order to care for members of the family.  A child who is immature wants to break away and do its thing, be free to center on themselves with no obligations to the family.  What would be the response of a mature Jew or Christian to this child?  I suspect it would be patience, compassion and hope.  The mature believer never gives up hope in one who they see as part of themselves, though adrift.  Isn't God like that with us?  I hope so.