This February, as we celebrate the month of love, we’re diving deep into the heart of Jesus’ ministry by looking at the specific people he loved. While we may have been taught that Jesus loves everyone—and that’s absolutely true—this series will highlight some of the individuals and groups Jesus showed love to in profound and often unexpected ways. This short blog series supplements this year in worship with Jesus at UMCG, as we explore how Jesus’ personal, transformative, and boundary-breaking love invites us to reach out to others in meaningful ways.
This week’s blog will look at the woman at the well and Zacchaeus the tax collector.
The Woman at the Well: Breaking Barriers to Offer Grace
In John 4:1-42, we meet the Samaritan woman at the well, a favorite encounter of mine that I think speaks deeply about Jesus’ love. Jesus, a Jewish man, engages in a conversation with a Samaritan woman—an extraordinary act in a time when Jews and Samaritans despised each other, and men typically did not speak with women in such circumstances. Yet, despite these cultural barriers, Jesus approaches her with compassion, asking for water and sparking a conversation about living water—the eternal life Jesus offers.
Through their exchange, Jesus reveals that he knows her story, including the pain and brokenness of her past. Instead of condemning her for her complicated history, Jesus offers her hope and an invitation to worship in spirit and truth. Through this act of love God transforms her; she becomes one of the first to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, sharing the good news with her entire village.
Jesus showed love to this woman by meeting her where she was, speaking to her with dignity, and offering her grace rather than judgment. Jesus didn’t let cultural norms or societal expectations prevent him from extending God’s love to someone considered an outcast.
Zacchaeus: Transforming a Life Through Grace
In Luke 19:1-10, we find Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. Known for collaborating with the Roman authorities and presumed to be cheating his fellow Jews, Zacchaeus was despised. Curious about Jesus, he climbs a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passes through town.
To Zacchaeus’ astonishment, Jesus stops, looks up, and calls him by name, inviting himself to Zacchaeus’ home. This simple act of connection transforms Zacchaeus. He responds by repenting and pledging to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he defrauded fourfold.
Jesus’ love for Zacchaeus was shown through his willingness to see beyond Zacchaeus’ reputation and extend an invitation for a relationship. By sharing a meal with Zacchaeus, Jesus demonstrates that no one is beyond redemption. Jesus’ love prompted a dramatic change in Zacchaeus, restoring him to his community and to God.
A Call to Action: Loving the Overlooked and the Outcast
I think both of these stories reveal Jesus’ ability to see people for who they truly are– beloved children of God, no matter their past or societal status. Jesus didn’t let cultural norms or preconceived judgments dictate His interactions. Instead, Jesus extended grace, offering transformation and hope.
Today, we are called to follow Jesus’ example by reaching out to those who are often overlooked or excluded. Who are the modern-day equivalents of the Samaritan woman or Zacchaeus in your life? Perhaps it’s someone struggling with addiction, a neighbor with a complicated past, or a colleague often dismissed because of their reputation. Like Jesus, we can break down barriers by extending a word of kindness, a listening ear, or an invitation to share a meal.
Take time this week to reflect on these questions:
- Who in your life might feel unseen or unworthy of love?
- How can you show them dignity and grace, just as Jesus did?
Remember, the same love Jesus showed to the Woman at the Well and Zacchaeus is extended to each of us. By embodying that love, Jesus brings hope and transformation to those around us. May we break barriers, challenge prejudices, and proclaim the good news of God’s unending love.
With deep and abiding love,
