According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, the word prejudice means to have a “preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or an actual experience.” However, prejudices and biases can develop over time based on experiences as well. For this reason, I was led to read the documented events recorded about Jesus and his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:7-9 states, “When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” Based on additional research in my Life Application Study Bible NIV, which I absolutely love, Jewish people did not associate with Samaritans because they were not “pure” Jews. They were products of mixed race marriages, and their unions were considered to be a betrayal to the Jewish people. In addition to being a Samaritan, she was a woman and men did not speak to women in public places. Being a Jew himself, Jesus understood the Jewish customs all too well; however, he did not allow someone’s race, gender, or circumstance to prevent him from loving and accepting them.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17 NIV). So, if God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us, why do we spend so much time condemning each other based on prejudices or biases? Think about it! Jesus knew that the Samaritan woman was “shacking up” with a man, and he still extended grace and mercy. Wow! Thank you Jesus for show us how to advance the kingdom with grace and mercy. John 4:39-42 NIV states, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Okay! Wait a minute! Let me get this straight. Jesus knew she was a Samaritan. He knew she was shacking up with a man. Yet, he showed love and compassion toward her and she became a believer. Oh! I’m sorry. She became a believer who told other people about his goodness, and her testimony brought them to Christ. You mean, all this happened because he didn’t allow prejudices and biases to keep him from welcoming another person into the kingdom! You mean, he didn’t condemn her but she was convicted by his love anyway. What an example for all of us!
#Just think about it#
#Then, go to the Father, and pray about it#
#Soul Searching with our Father#
