John 4:5-9 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (6) Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. (7) There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (8) (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) (9) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
As great as this country is, one of the embarrassing and shameful parts of our history is our past approval of slavery. Because of that black-eye in our history, the people of this nation continues to struggle with relations between races. Folks on both sides of this racial divide continue to perpetuate hatred just because of the color of one’s skin.
In a very similar struggle, the Jews during the time of Jesus, had a similar attitude towards the Samaritans. Many Jews looked at the Samaritans with hatred and disdain. So much so that they would often travel, at much greater distances, around the Samaritan region, so they could avoid them altogether.
With that background understood, In our text Jesus is making one of those journeys, but instead of traveling around the region, he walks through it as if there is no problem. During his trip, he gets tired and decides to sit down at a public well to rest and get a drink. While he was resting, a Samaritan woman comes to draw water. While there, Jesus asks this woman to draw him some water and it inspired the woman to ask this question in verse 9.
John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus’ behavior was so unexpected, so out of the norm, so against society, that the woman could not help herself from asking...Why are you talking to me? Jesus’ answer was a much deeper, more significant, more eternal...dealing with him being the savior, but his actions answers it loud and clear!
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Jesus did not care that she was a Samaritan! He was not going to allow society’s ignorance or hatred to influence him. Instead, he acts as his and God’s nature dictates. God does not judge mankind because of the color of skin or any other physical characteristics...and Neither can we! If we want to be like our savior...If we want to be like God, we must learn to love everyone and judge them by their actions and NOT by their looks.
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