Jesus stopped at a well to speak to a Samaritan woman. (John 4)
He shouldn’t have associated with someone like her. She was a Samaritan, a woman, and woman with a sordid past. No Jewish rabbi would be seen speaking to her.
She was an outcast.
The woman herself recognized the inappropriate nature of the conversation. When Jesus asks for water she replies, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”
That’s the thing about outcasts—they usually know where they stand. They’re more than willing to marginalize themselves, to blend into the background simply to avoid additional judgment and ridicule. That makes it even easier to ignore them.
Phil will be one of our teammates on FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR ’14. He sent me a note this morning and reminded me that our tour may provide opportunities to interact with folks like the woman at the well. He said we need to slow down and be ready when those opportunities arise.
Phil’s correct. God will arrange divine appointments, but we’ll miss them if we get in a hurry. The folks we need to connect with will be willing to let us pass if we seem too busy. They’re used to that.
We’re talking about people who aren’t the easiest, most convenient folks to hang out with. They’re not the cool kids.
Jesus took a risk. He slowed down, asked one of these folks for a drink, and changed her life. Then He used her to change an entire town.
I think we’re supposed to do the same thing.
Please leave a comment here.
Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.
