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Face to Face:Different
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
1Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4And He had to pass through Samaria. 5So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
How do we deal with those who are different from us? Especially now, when everyone who is of Arab descent is considered a potential terrorist. How did Jesus deal with those whom the Jews treated as outcasts and half-breeds?
Have we ever driven in a different direction to avoid the "bad" part of town? Have we ever walked down the opposite side of the street to avoid a "lower class" or homeless person? What do you think Jesus would have done in your situation?
This text removes all the questions concerning how Jesus would have acted or reacted. The journey of Jesus to Galilee required that He travel through Samaria. He made no change in His travel plans, and in fact, purposefully began a conversation with one who had two strikes against her in the culture of that day. She was a Samaritan and a woman.
As was true throughout His life, Jesus was more concerned about this woman's soul that her reputation or nationality. Jesus made a habit of confronting the downtrodden and needy of His time. He never avoided the social outcasts. Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost, no matter who or where they were.
What witnessing opportunities have we missed by avoiding those who are different from us? Did not God create us all? Does He not yearn for all to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? As the song says, "Red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in His sight."
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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