We have all heard the story of the woman at the well.  A Samaritan woman was at the well minding her own business gathering water.  Jesus approached her and asked her for a drink.  She scoffed back about how a Jewish man could ask a Samaritan woman for a drink because at the time Jewish people would not associate with Samaritans, but Jesus didn’t care about what the culture dictated, he cared about her as a person.

She went back to her town and spread the word about the Messiah and what he told her, and they asked him to stay, and he did for two more days sharing his message with others and during that time many more became believers.  It’s amazing how a chance encounter during her daily chores not only changed her life but the life of so many people in her town.

It makes me think of how our culture affects the way we talk to people about Jesus.  Drug and alcohol addicts are treated like modern day lepers who are pushed to the outside of the city away from society, so we do not have to see them.

When Russia invaded the Ukraine thousands of people fled the country and became refugees looking for a safe place for their families to live.  They were welcomed with open arms into several countries.  85% of Ukrainians are Christian, they look familiar and have familiar customs, so it was easy to welcome them.  In 2022, over 40,000 refugees fled Pakistan but were not welcomed with open arms.  Many Americans were upset about them being located in their communities because they looked different, dressed different, and had different customs.