8^th August

“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because His disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.”

John 4:7-8

The situation so far, in today’s verse, was not ideal. Firstly, Jesus was in Samaria, a no-go place for Jews because of the hostility between the two nations. Secondly, Jesus was alone and talking to a Samaritan woman. Another no no according to Jewish laws and customs; a fact John particularly makes sure he includes in his account of this story. Both actions where extremely un-common for a righteous Jewish person, particularly a Jewish man.

But Jesus broke down all traditional and religious barriers to accept this Samaritan woman and accept her as she was. This highlights an important part of Jesus’ character. It shows us that Jesus was willing to bring shame upon Himself, to be ridiculed and even secluded from society (because He was with ‘un-clean’ people), for the sake of reaching one soul.

This is what we mean when we say for ‘God so loved the world’. God through Jesus, reached into the depths of societies outcasts, the culturally ‘unwanted’, and showered His love upon those who were only treated with hate and malice. Jesus shows us that no-one and no-where is too far out of reach for His love. Today, as you go about your day, challenge yourself to see people as God sees them and ask God to show His love to them where they are at and how they need to receive it: you never know, He might even use you!