The Unspoken Lesson

Bible Readings... Acts 8
Highlighted Verse... Acts 8:5,14 - Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there... When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Thoughts... After the stoning of Stephen, Saul ratcheted up the pressure on the followers of the Way in Jerusalem so that all of the followers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. For generations, faithful Jews had avoided anything to do with the Samaritans... saving their deepest contempt for the Samaritans (cousins who, although descended from Joseph's children Ephraim and Manasseh, had not maintained Jewish religious traditions). But now, the disciples of Jesus are actively seeking to spread the gospel to the Samaritans... following the lessons that Jesus had shown them many times.
How it impressed me... Jesus never told his disciples to explicitly spread the gospel to the Samaritans, but it was clear by his example that he did not hold them in contempt like the Jewish leaders. There are five instances in the Gospels where Jesus mentions or deals with the Samaritans and four lift up the Samaritan as someone who needed help and was worthy of giving his help to. Sinners, yes, but still children of God. His example was not lost on his followers, who when pushed out of Jerusalem went to the Samaritans to offer them the Good News.
My response to God... Loving Father you continually open your arms to those considered unworthy by society... offering them eternal life. I thank you for the same offer and ask that you continue to open my heart to the cries of the needy... to those who, like the Samaritans "worship what they do not know."