³⁹Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. ⁴¹And many more believed because of his word. ⁴²They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” John 4:39-42

This passage comes from the story of the woman at the well.  A Samaritan woman. 

When Jesus meets with her alone, it could be considered scandalous – for Jewish men would not meet with an unrelated woman alone, nor would they associate with Samaritans.

But Jesus breaks those rules – they are not of God, rather were barriers placed by humans, and when He breaks them, look what happens.  The woman returns to her village to proclaim the messiah, they invite Jesus to come and they learn from Him.  This village of Samaritans become followers of Jesus – because Jesus chose to reach out to them.

On this day we set aside to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as the civil rights struggle, we should remember what Jesus did, and always does.  Jesus reaches out to those others deem different.  Jesus reaches out to those others deem unclean, or unworthy, or any other negative connotation.  Jesus loves.

On this Monday of inauguration week, let us look to Jesus as our model.

Peace

Pastor Bill