Outcast

John 4:9
“For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”

A few years ago, I was in Serbia speaking at a conference for some of the local churches. On the last day of our trip, we were invited by one of the pastors to visit a Gypsy village, where he had been ministering to the families for some time. Upon arriving, we broke up into groups, and began visiting some of the homes of the sick, and gathering with many of the children. After about an hour, a woman from a nearby town approached us. She stood out to us because she was wearing a beautiful purple dress with a purple overcoat. One of the other pastors approached her; she asked him who we were and what we were doing here. He responded that we were from America, and had come to Serbia to teach the Bible and share Christ. Her response was quite shocking. She said, “I meant what are you doing in the Gypsy’s village. No one cares about the Gypsies.” We were a little shocked by her statement, but began to share with her that Jesus loved all people, even those who were despised by the world. She made a decision to receive Christ that day because of His love for those whom no one else cared.

The world has always been filled with “Samaritans”. Even today, there is no shortage of people about whom no one seems to care. People, whose lifestyle has isolated them from society. It is important to keep in mind that Jesus was always drawn to those who the world rejected. Two thousand years later, and Jesus still “must go through Samaria.” He wants to use us, His church, to reach them with His love.

Keep your eyes open; there is a world out there in need of Christ. A world filled with neglected, even rejected people, who Jesus loves and died for.

Pastor Jim

Questions for John 4

Where was Jesus travelling from, and where was He travelling to? Where did he need to pass through on His journey?
Sometimes we get the impression that things were always easy for Jesus because He was God. How did Jesus feel after His journey? (verse 6)
What time was it? What was it probably like outside?
According to verse 9 what was the relationship between Jewish people and Samaritans? Do such relationships exist today? Was Jesus subject to these cultural patterns?
In talking with the Samaritan woman, Jesus used the natural (the water from the well) to transition to the spiritual (living water). What are some of the natural qualities and uses of water? How would these natural qualities translate to the spiritual?
Is location a primary consideration in worshiping God? What are the most important parts of worship? (verse 20-24)
What did the woman do when she left Jesus?
Jesus continues the natural to spiritual comparisons with food, this time while talking to His disciples. What are some of the qualities of food? What was Jesus’ food?
Consider verses 39, 41, and 42. What are the different ways that people came to believe in Jesus?
Jesus is capable of doing miracles at any time, but does not always. Sometimes people are pursuing signs and wonders and not pursuing a relationship with the Lord. What was the ultimate effect of Jesus healing the nobleman’s son? (Note verse 48, 50 and 53)

Old Testament:
Numbers 25- Friendship
Numbers 26- Inheritance