Unified in Our Diversity

John 4:4-42; Galatians 3:26-28

In the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman Jesus breaks through the barriers of race, gender, religion, and social status. Through his encounter with this one woman, he reaches her entire town. Not only does Jesus stay with them for two additional days, later in Acts, we read about numerous times the disciples ministered to the Samaritans as well (Acts 1:8, 8:4-6, 14, 25). Through this one encounter, where Christ chose to overlook the barriers humans had placed between people, he reached an entire culture of people. Not only do we need to break down the artificial barriers we place between ourselves and the world, we need to do the same with our fellow Christians. Paul tells us that in Christ we are all one. The social barriers we construct do not exist in God’s eyes.

Questions for further thought:
1. What artificial barriers am I placing between myself and others that may be impeding the message of God’s love to the world?
2. What artificial barriers am I placing between myself and my fellow Christians that are contributing to disunity among believers?  

​Challenge: Find one way this week you can reach across a socially defined barrier in your world such as gender, race, religion, politics, or social status.