Biblical Oneness: A Five-Day Devotional on Raceনমুনা

Recognizing Common Ground

In Samaria, Jesus rested at Jacob’s well (John 4:6). A well offered water and shade, and it was a natural place for a hot, tired man to stop. But Jesus chose this particular well because both the Jews and Samaritans loved Jacob, who was the father of both groups. Jesus was looking for common ground so He stopped at Jacob’s well and built a bridge of communication by starting with what He and the Samaritan woman could agree on.

Jesus had rejected the attitudes of His contemporaries in His willingness to go through Samaria from Judea to Galilee, something no good, orthodox Jew would do. This is why in John 4:9 the Samaritan woman asked him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” The text tells us, “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”

Shocked at Jesus’ request, she could not believe that He was asking her, a woman of Samaria, to let Him use her cup. To put His Jewish lips on her Samaritan cup was an intimate act of fellowship and warm acceptance. It was something that wasn’t done in this woman’s neighborhood. Not only was this an action that signified a willingness for fellowship, but it was also an action that gave the woman value. He esteemed her with value by placing Himself in a position that acknowledged that she possessed the ability to help Him.

But how did the woman know that Jesus was a Jew? It could be that He looked like a Jew, or perhaps He had a Jewish accent or some other trait that gave a public indication of His racial and cultural heritage.

Jesus didn’t let His history, culture, race, and background get in the way of ministering to a woman who had a spiritual need and who would meet him on common ground. Likewise, Jesus allowed the woman to retain her history, culture, and experiences as a Samaritan.

Even though none of the other Jews would go through Samaria, Jesus went through Samaria. Even though none of the other Jews would drink from the Samaritan woman’s cup, He drank from her cup. This is why Jesus sent His disciples into the city to buy food (v. 8). He would not allow the racism of others to block Him from doing God’s will cross-culturally.

God is not calling us to be something we were not created to be when He calls us to oneness. He is not calling you, if you are white, to like soul music, and I’m thankful that He is not calling me to like country and western. What He is doing, however, is calling everybody to take who we are and to work together toward a common goal—a kingdom agenda.

I’m not sure if you realize this, but whatever race you are now is what you are going to be in heaven. You are who you are intentionally and eternally. God is not colorblind. In the book of Revelation, John said, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb”

What I want you to note from that verse is that John saw them. The differences were visual. Why? Because God intended there to be differences. God has people from every background, group, and demographic representing His kingdom. Acknowledging and embracing our differences in a context of oneness more accurately reflects the kingdom of heaven than any other thing.