The Samaritans begged Jesus to “tarry with them; and he abode there two days.” (Jn. 4:40)
That verse caught my eye. The Jews didn’t have much use for the carpenter’s son. In fact, they chased him out of the temple, at first denounced any who would also follow him, then later ended up just plain crucifying him.
But before that, I wonder if there was a neutral: “Come if you want to”?
I’m thinking that is the way it is with a lot of Christians today. Out of their mouths come the words, “You’re welcome if you’d like to come.” But it’s a big contrast from the Samaritans who said, “Please stay,” or better yet, Jesus who actively sought out the lonely person (Jn. 9:35) instead of waiting for him to come on his own, only if he “wanted”.
In this day that values individuality and privacy, it’s scary to reach out. But
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in” is God’s mandate.
Lord, give us the loving willingness to get kicked in the teeth to reach out.
