There is a lot of history and theology about the Samaritans…who they were and what they did. You may have heard of Samaria as a sinful place where Jews just did not go. Samaritans are historically recognized as Assyrian-Jews; born of two nations. Therefore, they are seen as a mixed breed. As I read over the text of John 4 today – I thought of the Samaritans in a different way. The Samaritans were clearly descendants of Jacob in their Jewish heritage. John 4:5-6 & John 4:12 confirm that fact. So what happened?
Why did they choose sinful ways over Godly ways? Perhaps it was because they enjoyed the Assyrian lifestyle. Whatever the case, let’s not just look at the Assyrian-Jews or Samaritans. We have the same Samaritan issue in our culture. We just don’t call them Samaritans. Haven’t you witnessed a person or group of people who part ways with their Christian upbringing? Perhaps there was some disagreement or disfunction in the family to cause them to walk away from belief in God. Likely, a generation neglected to honor God with their lives or failed to teach their children about God . Such neglect and failure would have easily caused the Samaritans to become a people with whom the Jews did not want to be associated.
In today’s society, Christians often marry people of different nationalities with opposing beliefs about God. How do their children choose to worship or not worship? Those are questions to consider when choosing a mate. As Christians, let us not fail to be a living example of a worshipping, God loving individual, with a desire to spread the good news from generation to generation. We need not be modest in our belief, understanding, or demonstration of what it means to be submitted to God with all of our heart, mind, and soul.
Many people would like to know God for themselves…they only need an example of what a true believer looks like. Will you be an example of a true believer? If so, don’t hide your relationship with God. Share your beliefs, understanding, and worship with the people around you . . . especially your children!
