Humble Hero

Samaritans Responded to Christ’s Love

In His commission to the disciples just before His ascension, Jesus mentioned Samaria with Jerusalem and Judea as the places where they were to preach the gospel first. When they went to Samaria, they found the people ready to receive them. The Samaritans saw that, despite their rude treatment of Him, Jesus had only thoughts of love toward them, and He won their hearts. After His ascension the disciples gathered a precious harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies. HH 227.6

“A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.”
Isaiah 42:3 HH 227.7

In sending out the Seventy, Jesus instructed them not to urge their presence where they were unwelcome. “Whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you,” He said, “go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’” They were not to do this from resentment or wounded dignity, but to show how serious it is to refuse the Lord’s message. To reject the Lord’s servants is to reject Christ Himself. HH 227.8