Humble Hero

Christ Breaks Down Walls of Prejudice

Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile and to preach salvation to the world. He mingled freely with the Samaritans and accepted this despised people’s hospitality. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables, taught in their streets, and treated them with the greatest kindness and courtesy. HH 81.3

In the temple at Jerusalem, a low wall separated the outer court from other portions of the sacred building. Inscriptions on this wall stated that only Jews were allowed to pass this boundary. If a Gentile had dared to enter the inner enclosure, he would have paid the penalty with his life. But Jesus, the Originator of the temple, brought to the Gentiles the salvation that the Jews rejected. HH 81.4

The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ conduct. During the two days in Samaria, loyalty to Him kept their prejudices under control, but their hearts had not changed. They were slow to learn to give up their contempt and hatred to make room for pity and sympathy. But after the Lord ascended, His lessons came back to them with new meaning. They recalled the Savior’s look, His words, the respect and tenderness of His attitude toward these despised strangers. When Peter went to preach in Samaria, he brought the same spirit into his work. When John was called to Ephesus and Smyrna, he remembered the experience at Shechem and the divine Teacher’s own example. HH 81.5

Those who call themselves the Savior’s followers may despise and shun the outcast, but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from anyone, no matter how sinful. We are to give the gospel invitation to everyone. At Jacob’s well Jesus did not neglect the opportunity to speak to one woman, a stranger living in open sin. HH 81.6

Often He began His lessons with only a few people gathered around Him, but one by one the passersby paused to listen, until a crowd of people, in wonder and awe, heard the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. Sometimes only one person may hear the message from a worker for Christ today, but who can tell how far-reaching its influence will be? HH 81.7

The Samaritan woman proved to be a more effective missionary than Jesus’ own disciples. Through her, a whole cityful of people came to hear the Savior. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. Whoever drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the heart is like a spring in the desert, refreshing all and making those who are ready to die eager to drink the water of life. HH 82.1