We read in Luke 8:1-2, "Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities - Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." Who could bring together a demon possessed woman and the wife of an important government official? Jesus. If we look at the twelve apostles, we have Simon called the Zealot ( a group who hated the Romans and violently attacked anything Roman) and Matthew ( a hated tax collector, puppet for the Roman government) who wold have hated one another, joined together in Christ. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:14, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,". When we have Christ in common, none of the external differences make a difference. Paul also wrote in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Consider the story of the demon possessed man in Luke 8:26-39. If we were to visit this town prior to Jesus coming, most would seek the companionship of the townspeople, rather than the man who could not be controlled. Once Jesus enters the scene, the townspeople reject Him for ruining their pig farming business, while the man who was formerly demon possessed and violent now was in love with our Savior. Who would you rather befriend.
When we come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we don't simply add Him into our preexisting lives. Everything changes. What used to seem so important is now unimportant. What seemed like barriers are all removed. Each and every one of us is and always will be, a sinner. None of us are any better than anyone else. But for those of us in a relationship with Christ what we have in common is more powerful than any differences. Having repented of our sins we and accepted Jesus' offer of salvation, we have become family. What do we now have in common? God is our Father. Jesus is our Savior. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. We are now brothers and sisters in the same family of God. We are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and will one day be glorified together. Where barriers existed, they are no longer present.