Hi and welcome to today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

My name is Mike Whitmer, and I wrote today's reading, Loving Your Enemy.

I ducked into a room before she saw me.

I was ashamed of hiding, but I didn't want to deal with

her right then, or ever. I longed to tell her off, to put her in her place. Though I've been

annoyed by her past behavior, it's likely I had irritated her even more. The Jews and Samaritans

also shared a mutually irritating relationship. Being a people

of mixed origin and worshipping their own gods, the Samaritans, in the eyes of the Jews,

had spoiled the Jewish bloodline and faith, erecting a rival religion on Mount Girism.

In fact, the Jews so despised Samaritans

they would walk the long way around rather than take the direct route to their country.

Jesus revealed a better way.

He brought salvation for all people, including Samaritans, so he ventured into the heart of

Samaria to bring living water to a sinful woman and her town. His last words to his disciples

were to follow his example. They must share his good news with everyone, beginning in Jerusalem

and dispersing through Samaria until

they reach the ends of the earth. Samaria was more than the next geographical sequence.

It was the most painful part of the mission. The disciples had to overcome lifetimes of prejudice

to love people they didn't like.

Does Jesus matter more to us than our grievances?

There's only one way to be sure.

Love your Samaritan.

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