Jesus’ Compassion

John 4 tells a compellingly human story of two people meeting beside a well. Jesus’ humanity is on display in that he is said to be tired (John 4:6). He humbly asks a woman who comes to the well for a drink. Make sure you take this image in. John has already told us that this one who sits there tired and thirsty is the one through whom the universe was made (John 1:3), but here he is asking a Samaritan woman for a drink.

There are a lot of things that would have separated Jesus and the Samaritan woman—ethnicity, social norms, prejudices—but Jesus uses the opportunity to demonstrate his compassion for the woman. He reaches out and gives her a message of hope.

If we are following Christ’s example, what are some ways that we can demonstrate our compassion for others? How can we seek to understand those who have had different lives and experiences than we have? I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:14-16: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view,” (NIV).

It's bitterly cold out there today, so be careful and stay inside and warm if you are able. There’s also quite a bit of sickness going around—several viruses, so take care from that as well.

Remember that our annual meeting will be this Sunday morning after our potluck.

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday

John 4:1-26—What stands out to you about Jesus’ interactions with the woman at the well?

Psalm 103—What does this psalm of David teach us about God’s compassion?

Matthew 9:35-38—What do we learn about being a disciple from this passage?

Colossians 3:12-17—What does it look like to be “clothed with compassion”?