Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gossip Mill (05/08/14)
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TITLE: Words of Condemnation or Grace | Previous Challenge Entry
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05/15/14 -
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They were all inside and their haughty eyes of condemnation would not meet mine as I made this daily necessary trip.
Not a single breeze was blowing and the dusty path matched my parched soul. As I began my half mile walk, I sensed them gossiping about me inside as they ate their lunch.
I’ve heard it all so many times, “This disgraceful half-breed does not belong here. She is no better than a prostitute and is corrupting our town!”
“I saw her throwing herself all over the man who is not her husband.”
“I saw it too, more than once, as I peeked through her window. These Samaritans are worthless foreigners and God will surely destroy them.”
The tears cascading down my face and the sweat from my forehead are clouding my vision.
Why do their words keep haunting me? They only confirm the fact that I am worthless.
The path is lonely and this heat is unbearable. But at least I don’t have to dodge the daggers shooting from their eyes, and into my heart.
Finally, I am here at Jacobs well, but who is this Jewish man? Oh, no, he is talking to me!
He is asking me for a drink and talking about living water. Can you imagine having some kind of living water that last forever? I would not have to keep coming to this well!
I can’t believe this Jew is talking to me. There is just something different about him. It is like he can look into my soul.
He is letting me ask him questions. Me, a Samaritan woman, talking with a Jewish man in broad daylight. How can this be happening?
Oh, this is no regular man. He knows deep things about me and I don’t even know him. He must be a prophet!
He is telling me that it is important who you worship and not where.
I’m going to tell him, now, that I know the Messiah is coming. His response almost took my breath away as he said, “I who speak to you am He.”(John 4:26 NIV)
I running back to town and share this Good News!
This retelling of John 4: 1-28 from the Samaritan woman’s point of view has a message for us today. As Christians, we have a daily choice to gossip or to show compassion. Are our words filled with condemnation or grace?
There is a judgmental attitude that accompanies gossip that implies that we are better than another person. When that happens we must remind ourselves of a gospel truth. Jesus loves the out casts like the Samaritan woman or anyone else we think to be beneath us.
Whenever we hear a sentence start off with, “I probably should not tell you this but,” or “have you heard the latest…” we better run away.
There is a look of secrecy, and hand motion over the mouth that people often do, when they are ready to spread venom. Beware!
Oh, there is also the gossip “prayer request”. This is a sensitive area so keep your spiritual antennas ready.
We must ask ourselves if we would have responded like Jesus in this story or if we would have been caught up in the lunchtime gossip circle.
So how about you? How do you respond when gossip tries to consume you? Your choice can make an eternal difference in the lives of others.
Remember, that the same blood was shed at Calvary for Jacob, the owner of the well, the Samaritan women who was thirsty for a water she knew nothing about, Judas the betrayer, us the redeemed, and the vilest offender.
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