"Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"v29
John 4:1-38 NKJV
Jesus was on His way to Galilee and while His disciples went shopping for food, He went through Samaria. For many Jews, this was a 'no go' area. The Jews hated the Samaritans because of their cultural, racial and gender issues. However, as we will see, Jesus was willing to engage with them, despite the differences.
Jesus came to Sychar, a city of Samaria and sat down at a well. He was weary from the journey and the noon day sun was beating down on Him. A woman from the city came to draw water from the well where Jesus was sitting by. He asked her for a drink and despite their differences, Jesus struck up a conversation with her and eventually, revealing who He was, 'I am He,' challenged her because of the life she led, 'you have had five husbands, and the one who you now have, is not your husband' V18.
After more conversation this all blew her away, and leaving the water pot, she ran back to the city shouting, 'Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?' Jesus didn't criticise or judge this woman, He engaged with her, showing her that, despite their differences, He was still willing to drink water from her cup - something a devout Jew would never do. He didn't give up His own cultural, racial and gender identity in doing so but showed her a willingness to speak with her which opened the door to reach her spiritually. We should never ignore or reject the humanity of different people, as we seek to share with them the Gospel. Jesus gently and politely, challenged her, and because of this, her testimony was so effective that crowds of locals turned out and came to Jesus.
Notice a couple of things, firstly this woman had had no bible college training, she had just spent time speaking and listening to Jesus and this had a great effect on her. Secondly, Jesus made three distinct changes this day. (1) His disciples were amazed at Jesus' behaviour and learnt the lesson of accepting other people's differences, without judgement. (2) This woman's life would never be the same again. She was completely changed. (3) Also the people of Sychar were introduced to Jesus and despite cultural, racial and gender issues, were able to accept Jesus and each other.
Jesus' beliefs were not changed, He was secure in His Father's Word; but He was willing to get alongside other people, leading them to believe without ever having to compromise His own faith. This is something that we all need to work at. Things can then change, just like that.
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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