Gospel

THE REAL JESUS, PART 3

by John Clark 
06/09/22
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Jesus was continually connecting cross-culturally. He engaged people in conversation no matter their race, nationality, religion, or past wrong deeds. The needs of people were always more important than skin color or how they lived their life. If Jesus were living on earth today, he would not shun homosexuals, transgenders, drug addicts, drunkards, prostitutes, etc. He would be willing to sit down and have a conversation with them. This does not mean that Jesus would condone their lifestyle or way of thinking. He would not do that, but He also would not judge them, trying to help them see that there is a better way to live.

     In John chapter 4, Jesus embarks upon another trip through the country. He passes through the area of Samaria. In the culture of Jesus’ day, Samaritans and Jews wanted nothing to do with each other. “Jews would not even go through Samaria because it was a non-Jewish country. They would walk 150 miles out their way - around the border - to keep from entering territory inhabited by a people they called ‘dogs’.” *

     Jesus, however, encountered a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well. Instead of despising her, he asked for a drink of water. The woman replied, “ How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink of water from me, a woman of Samaria?” (4:7-9). Jesus also asked the woman to “Go, call your husband,” to which she said, “I have no husband.” Jesus answers, “You are right in saying that you have no husbands, for you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband.” He knew all about her past and present adultery but there was not one word of condemnation.

     You may appear to be a good person and have it all together, but inside you are full of past poor choices, hurts, and struggles. Jesus knows all about them, but will still accept you as you are. 

     To review, Jesus crossed cultural and racial barriers by one, not judging or shunning people, and two, by being willing to have constructive interaction  and conversations with them. This a lesson to be learned for our culture today. 

     Because of the Samaritan woman reporting what Jesus had done and said, other Samaritans believed also that Jesus of Nazareth was the “Savior of the world”(vs. 42). 

     Have you come to accept the REAL JESUS as your Savior? Come to him no matter what you have done or how you are now living your life. He can transform you in ways you never thought possible. 

     * Quote is from the Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, page 1596, available from Turning Point Ministries. 

     (If you have not read all of these articles, to get the full impact I strongly urge you to go back to the very first one. You can find them all simply by clicking on my name at the top of this article.)