Kindness Reaches Beyond Stereotypes and Prejudices
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, there is so much hate in this world, help me to learn from what you model in this focus Scripture about dealing with prejudice. Amen
READ: John 4:4, 6-15, 20-26 NLT
“He had to go through Samaria on the way. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water. So, tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”” John 4:4, 6-15, 20-26 NLT
REFLECT:
Racism and prejudice are difficult issues to handle appropriately, and the Garden City, KS, schools and community have handled it well. The teaching staff was concerned that many of the Hispanic youngsters had dropped behind their peers when school started in the Fall. The students had been closer in achievement at the end of the previous school year. The instructional staff investigated the problem and found one of the major causes was that many of the Hispanic youngsters lacked access to the public library during the summer. This was because the family had only one car and it had to be used to get the father to work.
The teachers saw a need to take the books to where the students live. District personnel were notified of the problem, and they came back with a unique solution. The bus drivers and transportation department said, “Why don’t we convert one of our buses that we trade in each year.” The maintenance department stated they could remodel the bus into a mobile library and classroom. Teachers volunteered to ride the bus and read to the students and help them. A bus driver volunteered to drive. This was the impetus for the “BOOKS on the BUS” Program (BOB as the bus was named). This did not alleviate the total problem, but it helped by providing ready access to books in a positive environment during the summer.
APPLY:
Prejudice and racism have been around for years. When dealing with these issues, either individually or a community, we must be willing to take James 1:19-20 to heart, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Jesus demonstrated this when He met the Samaritan women at the well.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, When I am dealing with feelings of prejudice, help me to remember: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For we are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Amen