Priorities: To Regard Or Disregard?

And at this point, His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman.

John 4:27 (NKJV)

Should Jesus regard a Samaritan woman drawing water at Jacob’s well? The Jew-Samaritan relationship was shaky at best, and vengeful at worst.

Or should the King of kings disregard her? By ancient custom, a Jewish man would NOT acknowledge a woman in public–even less a Samaritan woman.

'How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans?' (John 4:9).*

Consider His choice. When Jesus walked the paths of Israel, God’s people were blinded by prejudice:

  • By culture, parents, and occupation,

  • By lifestyle, beauty, and appearances…

  • All the same stuff that blinds our world today!

But take heart: the Lord’s eyesight is PERFECT: 'There is no partiality with God' (Romans 2:11).

What about us? How do WE see others?

  • As in 41,000 (and counting) different Christian denominations?

  • Or Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and varying faiths with contrasting rules?

  • Because they ALL see themselves as Christians.

What about the world’s other religions? Or people with no religion at all? Do we disregard them? Do we judge them? Do we hunker down behind closed church doors?

REMEMBER JESUS! He left His home ground to find common ground. His talk with the Samaritan woman was in HER town and started with water– because everyone on earth thirsts… and drinks.

It ended with her faith declaration… which soon extended to her whole city!

I believe many Christians focus on differences– not similarities. BUT… being effective ambassadors requires our travel to foreign places (including the fields of entertainment),

And REGARDING ALL strangers with kind eyes!

Priorities: To Regard Or Disregard (Part 4)

* John 4:1-42: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:1-42&version=NASB

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban