The Radical Encounter

THE INTERSECTION OF COMMUNITY 

Chapter 4 of John’s gospel records an interesting encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman He meets at a well. Verse 9 states that “the woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans” (NLT). 

Basically, Jews who did not intermarry during their captivity in Babylon, which was God’s command to them, felt that those who did intermarry (Samaritans) were unclean and should not be associated with. They were considered half-breeds. No respectable Jew would ever intersect with them, let alone a man speaking to a woman. Just like Jesus, isn’t it? He constantly surprises either side of a conflict and fits in neither prescribed box. 

Our social-media culture has become notorious for taking sides, thus creating divisions among people along political party lines, racial lines, ethnic lines—you name it. We create online “communities” of people who mirror us in many ways. The problem is that we grow most as individuals—emotionally and intellectually—when we intersect with those who are different than us. And if you really want to learn about life, hang out with people who are radically different than yourself. 

When we constantly engage with those who only reinforce our thinking rather than challenge it, we never learn anything other than what we already believe. Unfortunately, the longer we do that, the more stunted we become in our thought life and our appreciation for the diversity of life all around us. 

I think this story is significant because it communicates an important truth: Only when we go out of our way to meet people unlike us will the world be surprised and make it a point to tell others about us. 

Unfortunately, we often deny ourselves the opportunity to be surprised by off-course adventures, like Jesus’ encounter at the well. Happiness often comes when we least expect it. Remember opening that Cracker Jack box as a kid? Mystery is a great reminder of the adventure of expectation! 

When the Samaritan woman awoke that morning, she had no idea she was going to meet the Messiah. And she would not have had Jesus not purposely decided to intersect with her. 

Each of us can have a “woman-at-the-well” experience. But it will take a desire to establish a connection with someone unlike us or someone we’re told is not even interested in us. We must go out of our way to get in front of someone God wants to put in our path. 

Once we actually do that, I suspect there will be great surprises in store for everyone. Because community is all about the surprise. As Forrest Gump so articulately explained to that lady on the bus stop bench, life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’ll find until you dig in and bite down. 

Looking for a little community beyond the norm? Get offline and get in line to find people who need to intersect with you and hear what you have to say that will change their lives and change yours. 

Once you do that, your life will take on a new meaning, one you hadn’t planned on. Maybe those you intersect with will be so surprised that they cannot help but tell others about what they’ve just experienced. And maybe you’ll have a story to tell as well. 

Today, spend some time on the crossroads of life to surprise someone with the gift of your presence. And find true community. You may really enjoy what’s in that box of chocolates.