From Different Ships, But On the Same Boat

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We humans are a strange sort, aren't we? Why in the world do we discriminate against others based on things like: their birthplace, where they live, skin color, economic status, language, etc? God doesn't judge people like we tend to do. God looks at the inside, while we are more apt to look at only the outside.

The problems of stereotypes and prejudice are nothing new. These were major problems in Jesus’ day, too. But, what made Jesus so attractive to so many in his time was the way he demolished commonly held stereotypes of “us” and “them.”

Do you recall when Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:6-9)? His disciples had left him alone to go buy food. Now remember, Jews did not associate with Samaritans at that time. They traveled in completely different social circles. The two didn't hang out together, or talk to each other. Simply put, the did not get along.

What makes this scenario even more interesting was that He didn't reach out to just any Samaritan, but a Samaritan woman. The Jewish rabbis of Jesus’ day wouldn't even teach to women, let alone allow this kind of interaction. Yet here's Jesus reaching out to a Samaritan woman!

This incident makes a powerful statement by itself. But wait, there's even more! Not only was this person a Samaritan, and a woman, she was also an immoral woman. She had been married five times; and, on top of that, she wasn't married to the man she was living with at that time. (John 4:18).

You could say that she had three "dislikes" against her, And, these were three very good reasons (from the perspective of the Jews) why Jesus shouldn't even be giving her the time of day. But, he does. In fact, he was the one who initiated the conversation (John 4:7).

Considering the way things were at the time, not even a good Jew would associate with this woman, Additionally, because of who she was, there's good reason to believe that even the Samaritans themselves kept their distance from this woman. John 4:6 tells us that “it was about the sixth hour” (the sixth hour was noon) when Jesus met this woman at the well.

It would have been out of the ordinary for a woman to go to the well to draw water in the heat of the day. Usually they went to the well in the evening after it had cooled off. The fact that she was there at that time of day suggests she was probably trying to avoid the other women. Why? Because they didn't accept her due to her immorality.

The point here is this. She was an outcast among outcasts! If there was anyone on earth that Jesus shouldn't have been in contact with, it was her. However, he was willing to look past all of her exterior flaws, and look at who she was on the inside.

What about the disciples? They were stunned when they returned and found him alone, talking with an adulterous woman at a well. But, they didn't say a word until after the woman had left and gone back into town. At that point, they asked if he'd like to eat something. They obviously wanted to pretend that they didn't see a thing. Like many, they were hoping that if ignored, the problem would disappear. Poof!

As mentioned earlier, during his earthly ministry Jesus broke down the stereotypes of “us” and “them.” But, he had to pursue this alone. He didn't have the support of the religious leaders of his day, nor the support of his disciples. This was because they hadn't gotten past their own prejudices, yet.

In closing, you and I don't have to overcome our prejudices, or biases alone. We have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to support and guide us. We were all made in God's image, all of us. To treat one another any less than that goes against everything that Jesus lived, taught, and died for.

Scripture:John 7:24; 1 John 2:9; John 13:34; Romans 2:11; 1 Samuel 16:7  

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray that I will treat everyone I meet today with respect, dignity, and love. You created us as one family, in your image. Therefore, I ask you for forgiveness of any previous sins I have committed against others involving prejudice, and that you instill my heart with your love for all. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Shelley