What really happened at the well in Samaria? Who was that woman, and why was she there just at the same moment as Jesus? As we read the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ encounters with various individuals in the course of His ministry, we tend to adopt a detached attitude. It’s a beautiful story, and we certainly appreciate the example that Jesus showed, but have we ever stopped to think of the story behind the character?
How would we feel if it had been any one of us reaching out in desperation to touch the robe of the Healer even as He ministered to others? After suffering an ailment for so many years, would we still have had that solid faith that assured us “If I could only touch Him …?” Do we understand the public response to someone with such an affliction, and how such a response affected her quest for healing?
This book seeks to provide a vehicle whereby we can better relate to the people and events that marked the ministry of our Lord during His time on earth. It is not the author’s intent to rewrite the Gospel stories. Rather, by supplying fictional names and credible histories to each of the characters, we want to pan-in for a closer look at the personalities of those who were blessed by the ministry of Jesus. In the course of so doing, we hope to accomplish two objectives.
First of all, because of the broad spectrum of people and circumstances that Jesus addressed, we will certainly be able to identify with some of them in our own Christian experience. At some point, each of us will be able to say – “I’ve been there!” or “I’ve done that!”. At that point we can examine just how Jesus handled that particular situation. Knowing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever, we can see that God does have a plan and a purpose for our lives. He has a solution for our every problem, and nothing is too difficult for Him to handle. Such assurance gives us the needed incentive to believe for the same overcoming experiences in our lives.
The second objective focuses on the personal ministry of each believer to the lives of others. Looking at Jesus’ response to those He met will coach us in ministry to those we meet in our experience. Do we have the patience to minister to the divorcee at the well of Samaria? Do we have the compassion to take the time to comfort the grieving father who so recently lost his little girl to the clutches of death? Do we have the grace to accept the fellowship of a former prostitute, or speak to the pride of a modern-day Pharisee named Simon? Undoubtedly, before our time on this earth is over, we will meet one or all of these characters. By following Jesus’ example, we will discover just how to handle each situation in a Christ-like manner.
As we go and do likewise, our lives will also be marked by the blind whose sight is restored, the lame who are enabled to walk, the sick who are restored to health, and the Kingdom of God will, indeed, be preached to all nations.
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Everyday Encounters
Face-to-face With Jesus
