IT JUST TAKES ONE

READ: John 4:5-30, 39-42

ANSWER THIS: What’s one, small thing you can do to show kindness toward someone, even if it's someone who's not very popular?

THE BREAKDOWN

In our modern culture, it’s almost impossible to comprehend how countercultural Jesus was in his time.

In today’s passage, Jesus does three culturally offensive things during his visit with the Samaritan woman:

• One: Jesus was a Jew, and he has the nerve to speak to a Samaritan (there existed a bitter divide between Samaritans and Jews that dated back more than 700 years).
• Two: Jesus speaks to a woman (it was inappropriate for a man to publicly speak to a woman unless they were related).
• Three: Jesus speaks to a woman with a questionable reputation (she admits she’s had 5 husbands and was currently living with a man, which was very strongly looked down upon in those days).

But, Jesus cares more about people than he cares about social norms. In the words of author Trillia Newbell, “This was part of Jesus' appeal. People who were used to being dismissed, ridiculed, and rejected were suddenly talking with someone who both saw them and loved them.”

Jesus’ disregard for social taboos was so profound, and his declaration that he was the Messiah was so shocking, that the woman breathlessly runs away, leaving her water jug behind. She wanted to tell everyone in the village about the man she just met. Her excitement then causes people to drop what they are doing so that they can go see this man who might “possibly be the Messiah.” Jesus’ care for one socially outcast individual leads to the salvation of an entire community.

One unlikely person, sharing her story, was all it took to change the lives of many.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The movie October Sky is a true story about Homer H. Hickam, Jr., who grew up with few opportunities in a West Virginia coal mining town but eventually became a successful NASA engineer.

Homer, a popular boy in high school, was fascinated with rocketry. In one scene from the movie, while eating lunch with his friends, Homer eyes the school’s smartest (and “nerdiest”) kid, Quentin Wilson, eating alone at his table. Needing help to build a successful rocket, and to the horror of all the kids in the lunchroom, Homer moves over to Quentin’s table and befriends him.

That one, small gesture led to changing everyone’s attitude toward Quentin, and eventually impacted the lives of everyone in the community.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Have you ever asked yourself what difference can one person possibly make? Well, you can start by helping someone at your school, in your neighborhood, or even in your own home. Just be observant and ask God to point out someone who could use your help. You never know how much a kind gesture to one person might affect many others.

PRAYER

“Lord, there are times when I want to help others, but I’m not sure how. Please give me compassion for people who need my help, and show me what gifts You’ve given me to offer people in need. And Lord, when asked why I’m helping, give me the courage to tell them what I’m learning about Jesus, and how he helped others. And how that makes me want to do the same.”