As we make our plans to spread the Gospel according to Jesus’ command in His Great Commission, we can learn from His example. One of the most revealing examples of His teaching is found in John 4 when He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Just speaking with the woman ran counter to the prejudices of the day. The Jews despised the Samaritans as a nation of half-breeds. After Assyria captured Israel (Northern Kingdom), it assigned people to live in the area. These folks intermarried with the Israelites who remained. Their religion was a mixture of paganism with some elements of the Old Law. This mixture of nationalities and religion was repulsive to the Jews. Further, male Jews did not generally interact directly with women. We can see that the woman recognized these breaks with traditions when she says, “How is it that You being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (John 4:9) We find the disciples “marveled that He talked with a woman” (John 4:27).
We also learn that the woman had been divorced 5 times and was living with another man. This could explain why she was alone at the well. She was likely an outcast from Samaritan society because women usually visited the well in groups. Even with all this “baggage,” Jesus spoke to her about living water and answered her question about worship. Teaching her resulted in many believing in Him (John 4:41).
There are many lessons in this story, but one application for us is clear. We cannot let the prejudices of the day keep us from sowing the seed (Luke 8:11). We might not see the Samaritan woman as a prime candidate for Jesus’ teaching, but the results speak for themselves. We should not predetermine anyone’s interest in the Gospel. God will bless our efforts to spread His Word!
For the elders, Dave Benner