John 4:9 - The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)…

John 4:17-19 “I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.          

Let’s face it. Not everyone is like us. We have our own culture and sub-culture. It is easiest to associate with “our own”.  That is why many Christians have no friends who are non-Christians. Many church goers hardly know anyone outside of their church. Jesus was able to cross cultural differences to present eternal matters.          

In this story there are four rather clear cultural differences. First the obvious gender difference poses greater problems in that society than even today. In that culture you did not associate with someone of the opposite sex unless you were a family member, in a group, or for sexual favors for a price. It was not culturally acceptable to be discussing things with someone of the opposite sex in private.          

Second, it was apparent that Jews did not associate with Samaritans or Gentiles. Jews were God’s people and valued that racial and cultural identity greatly. They did not want to associate with sinners, law breakers or pagans. With whom we associate is important for maintaining our integrity and our righteousness. Racial prejudice is unfortunately not reserved for the non-believers. Many Christians have prejudices against people based on the color of their skin, the slant of their eyes, the quality of their clothes, the dialect of their speech or the tattoos on their skin. 

Third, was their religious differences. People defend their religious backgrounds and stop conversations quickly on that topic. People with different religions often don’t communicate, but seek to defend their beliefs.          

Fourth, her life was spent looking for love in all the wrong places. She was immoral.  She had divorced and some divorced people will tell you plainly, they are treated like they have the plague among Christians. Not only was she divorced, but she had been married five times. The man she was now living with was not her husband. 

Race, religion and relationships are all cultural and can be a major barrier to witnessing about Jesus.

A girl named Robin started coming to the youth group at one church. She was a foster child and was looking for friends. Kids in the group ignored her since she didn’t fit in. She dressed differently, swore, and was rather bossy.  Some would tell jokes about her and in the whispers, gossip behind her back.  Robin ran away and was found later on the streets working as a prostitute. The cultural difference was a barrier for her to see the love of Jesus.

It is not always easy to relate to those who are different than us, but Jesus did because He loves the world. He tells us to do the same. He did not accept the Samaritan woman’s sin, but saw the deeper need of her heart.

Application:  A key example of Jesus witnessing is to recognize the cultural considerations and look beyond them to spiritual needs.

Prayer:  Lord, when I see people who are different than me, help me to see them through your eyes.   

Dale