Read John 4
In our last series of devotions, we spent a week looking at encounters Jesus had with women. We clearly see that Jesus values women, He values outcasts, He values foreigners, and He values those who are despised.
Can you imagine just “bumping” in to Jesus on just any ordinary day not even thinking your life was about to change forever? Even more amazing about this woman is that she is the first person Jesus tells that He is God! He first reveals Himself to a woman, to an outcast. One can not say God is chauvinistic or doesn’t care for the outsiders.
Now after their long conversation together and her realizing she’s talking to the Messiah, she runs to tell everyone in the city about Christ and brings them out to Him.
- How hard would that be to share Christ with those who despise you or don’t care about you?
Yet the amazing encounter with Jesus can’t keep her quiet or keep it to herself. She desires to share with everyone she knows, whether good or bad relation. I even appreciate that they listened to her and at least went to go check Him out – you never really know how someone will respond.
- Because you are reading this, you have “bumped” into Jesus. How has He changed your life so far?
- How has your encounter with Him caused you to share Him with others that you would least expect?
- What holds you back from sharing it with those who are hard for you in your life?
- Write out a one sentence summary.
SAMARITANS
During the ministry of Jesus, there was contact with a group of people known as the Samaritans. The Samaritans were half-Jew, half-Gentile. The race came about after the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. Certain people from the nation of Israel stayed behind. These people intermarried with the Assyrians producing the Samaritans. The Samaritans had their own temple, their own copy of the Torah – the first five books of the Old Testament – and their own religious system. There was an issue among the Jews and Samaritans as to where was the proper place of worship.