Beyond the Jews

     Jesus became human to give the Jews the opportunity to believe before anyone else because they had always been God's chosen people.  When the Jews had their opportunity, most would not believe without a miracle.  Other people flat out rejected Him.  That is when He reached out to everyone else.  We are called the Gentiles.  We were the people that most Jews looked down upon as lesser people.  However, God actually loves all His people in a way that goes beyond rank, level, or status.
     Samaritans (Gentiles) and especially women were considered on the same level as dogs to the Jews.  They were a lesser people.  However, Jesus went out of His way to talk to a woman that was at the local well for water midday because she was looked down upon by her own people as a woman of ill repute.  Jesus showed her a kind of love and respect that she probably never had seen in her entire life.  She was given the gift of salvation.  She did not really understand, but she took it and ran to tell everyone else.  Her sins were behind her in that moment.
     The problem with being forgiven by God and letting go of your sin is the other people.  Jesus' disciples came back and did not understand why He would be talking to her (but did not say a word).  The people in her town had not forgotten.  They still held her past against her (after all it only had just changed).  However, they saw a change in her and rushed to see what had happened.  Jesus stayed with them two days and many believed.
     When God changes you, you have to be patient with other people.  It takes a while for them to catch up and see the change in your life.  A change like that can really bring others to Jesus.  It is a stronger faith for those that believe without needing a miracle or actually seeing Jesus in person. 

John 4