Amy Hewett-Olatunde

John 4:39-42

Friday, February 23

Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." – John 4:39-42

This is powerful to me, as I see this in my daily work with my students. Being refugees, they are misunderstood and marginalized because of how society perceives them to be. We can be told what someone is like, but we do not truly know until we meet them and understand who they are. In this turbulent political climate we face in this country where hate groups and individuals feel they have more privilege and power over others, they have not truly opened their eyes to what humanity and humility mean.

Just as the Samaritans needed to see for themselves who Jesus really was and what he stood for, we need to do this with each other. Just as the Samaritans saw Jesus as the Savior of the world and we as believers still do today, he was rejected and turned away many times. His beauty, his teachings, and his love for us are unfailing. Let this be a lesson for mankind. Heroes are found in the least likely of places; we just have to open our eyes to truly see them.

Questions for reflection:

• When have you felt the love of God from those around you?
• How have the words of God helped you seek refuge when there was nowhere else to turn?

Prayer:

Father, when others seek to destroy the fabric of mankind in all its richness and diversity, help me always take action to protect and serve that which I know is good.