John 4:9-10...Put Away Differences...

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). Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Our differences in each other have been a hindrance in relationships since the beginning of time. Here in this story it was highly unlikely that Jesus would be talking with a Samaritan woman simply because Jews and Samaritans avoided each other. Suppose Jesus followed the current culture of the time. The woman would not have had the chance to hear about salvation to to accept Christ for who He was. If we allow petty differences to come between others and ourselves then we are creating a division that could keep someone from hearing the gospel message. Our mission is to love others, to tell others about Jesus and about His forgiveness of sins. We cannot fulfill that mission or exemplify the love of God if we separate ourselves from others.

Blessings,

Alan B Conner