JOHN 4:9 & 27
Back in the days of Jesus, the Jews generally had no dealings with Samaritans. Some despised the Samaritans even more than Gentiles, as they were considered half-breeds and practitioners of a perversion of the true Jewish faith.
If passing through Samaria was not bad enough, now Jesus was alone with a less than reputable Samaritan woman at a public well. That was not the best image for a Jewish Rabbi.
The woman marvelled. (John 4:9) The disciples returned and also marvelled. (John 4:27)
Though culturally and religiously in opposition, both the Samaritan and Jew would agree that Jesus was not behaving the way they expected religious Jews to behave.
Loving others was not a new concept for the disciples. But Jesus shows us a love that is not convenient. He shows us a love that is extended without expectation of reciprocation. Jesus shows us a love that intentionally seeks out those who society – and sometimes religion – have deemed unlovable. And we marvel. We marvel because it is a love not of this world. It is unnatural, undeserved, and often unrequited.
