Observations:
Who does Jesus interact with?
Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman.

Observations:
What does Jesus ask of the Samaritan woman?
Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"

Observations:
What is the Samaritan woman's response to Jesus?
The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews don't associate with Samaritans.)

Observations:
What is Jesus' response towards the Samaritan woman?
"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Observations:
What do we learn from the disciples?
1. Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman.
2. But no one asked, "What do you want?"
3. But no one asked, "Why are you talking with her?"

Interpretations:
Why is it significant that Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman?
I was so touched and convicted by Jesus' interaction. It is very significant to me because in the woman's mind, Jews don't associate with Samaritans but segregate themselves from the Samaritans. The Samaritans are seen as less than the Jews. Not only that they are despised by the Jews. In the process, the Samaritans despise the Jews too because of how they have been treated and segregated. Samaritans feel the Jews have Jewish privilege that has not been afforded to them. The Jews knew that they were the Chosen ones. Anyone not like them was not given the light of day. Into this situation Jesus comes. Jesus knew already that the Samaritan woman would be there at noon. So, he deliberately asks her for water to initiate a conversation on race and sin. He also knows what the woman is thinking even before she thinks those thoughts so Jesus wants to address her where she is at. What was more touching for me is that Jesus asks her for a drink of water. Whoa! Jesus wanted to drink from the same well and specifically the water that the Samaritan woman drew with her own hands. In an age where we have dealt with segregation of drinking water fountains, schools, churches, temples, etc Jesus set an example against that in His time alone with the Samaritan woman.  Jesus was telling the Samaritan woman, I have come for you too and not just the Jews. Jesus was telling the woman, I have Living Water that is available for you too. Jesus did not want her to feel despised anymore. But more than that Jesus was also addressing her sin condition which will come to light in the rest of John 4.  Anything Jesus does is to set an example for us.

Why is it significant to know the response of the disciples?
To know the response of the disciples was significant for me too because probably the disciples themselves had racist tendencies in them because they wonder what Jesus was doing talking to a woman. Let's not sugar coat it! They were shocked that Jesus was interacting with a Samaritan woman and not any woman. Also, they were shocked because of the reputation of that particular woman. Yet, they do not ask the Samaritan woman, 'What do you want?' nor do they ask Jesus, "Why are you talking with her?" In essence, they were repressing their racist feelings without addressing them intentionally in an interaction. Jesus saw right through the disciples actions and they had two days of active and proactive teaching by Jesus on how He came even to tackle racism when Jesus and the disciples stayed with the Samaritan woman and their Samaritan village for two days. This interaction with Jesus and the disciples brought so many Samaritans to believe in Jesus.

Why is it significant to know the response of the Samaritan villagers?
It is so significant that the Samaritan villagers did not just believe what the woman told them but decided to find the Truth out themselves. Once they found out the Truth, they are able to say,  "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." Wow!

Implications:
To tackle racism, I need to be intentional like Jesus was. Jesus could have waited until the woman left to get water but Jesus was setting an example for me, you, and the disciples that He came not only for the Jews but for the Samaritans too. Even though the Jewish people knew they were the Chosen Ones, Jesus was letting the Samaritans know that they can have a table in His Kingdom too. Thank you Jesus. No matter how much the Jews despised the Samaritans and vice versa, Jesus was there to bring racial reconciliation. That means racial reconciliation starts with imitating Jesus and being intentional. A Table in His Kingdom is available to all races and ethnicities when we surrender our lives over to Christ. Right now in the U.S., we need to be focused on Black and White relationships for racial reconciliation. This is not to say that other relationships are not important.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ!"

Not only that but when Jesus tackled racism, He did not ignore other things but called them out in His loving non-judgmental way. Jesus never compromised morality for the sake of racial reconciliation. He let the despised Samaritan woman see her sin but also excited her to go tell others about Him once she was reconciled to Jesus. Now because of the woman's reconciliation to Jesus, it has ripple effects affecting the Samaritan village positively. It shows intentionality and vulnerability.

When dealing with sin of racism or any other sin, smokescreens are thrown to avoid what is uncomfortable or uneasy to deal with. When that happens, I need to handle it how Jesus handled it with the woman. Wow! Even though the woman threw a smokescreen, Jesus addressed her issue and then brought it back to the issue at hand. I need to do the same. What an awesome racial reconciliation session to be part of looking at Jesus, Samaritan woman, disciples, and the Samaritan villagers. Jesus played the role of a Pastor of all pastors by listening to the woman where she was at instead of saying, 'Let us stick to the topic at hand'. When Jesus challenged her and she tried to cross examine Jesus, Jesus let her do that to reach her where she was at instead of making her feel judged to the point she would not want to have anything to do with Jesus but she felt so excited to go back and tell the Samaritan villagers, what a Jewish person told her.

When dealing with racism, I need to also realize that my friends may not see the situations the same way. More than that, the trainees may not see it the way the trainer sees it. The disciples actions were definitely racist when they even thought of the question, "What do you want?" and "Why are you talking to her?" We could be challenged that way too but our response should be the response of the Way of the Master, Jesus Christ to tackle racism. The worst thing we can do in an interaction with people is to tell them to 'Drop the subject, let us agree to disagree', 'Don't message me anymore about this', 'Don't talk to me anymore about this', etc.  But, if others say that to us, let them because they maybe deeply hurt and wounded. Let us meet them where they are at and give them time.

Whether it is sharing about racial issues, policing, political views, etc, I should never muzzle someone from sharing what is in their heart. The more we know about a person's views, the more we can challenge them if  we feel they are wrong. This gives them the ability to challenge back too if they choose to. It is important to remember if we are serious about tackling racism or any issue, we could be offended because when a person shares honestly, we might take it as an attack or they maybe really attacking. I know when I share, I want to persuade people to see my point of view. Some are very offended by that because I don't let go. This could be dangerous at times.

How will we respond?

Will we respond like Jesus?

Will we respond like the Samaritan woman?

Will we respond like the disciples?

Will be respond like the Samaritan villagers? 

When dealing with racism, I need to beware of listening to others and taking their word for it instead of exploring the Truth myself. Just because someone tells me so and so person is racist or so and so party is racist, I should not just believe it but instead, I need to investigate myself looking for the truth like the Samaritan villagers did.

Finally, when dealing with racism, I need to realize no matter how many laws are passed, etc, it is the heart that has to be reached. This can only be done by the Lord convicting people of their sin and racial prejuidice. No amount of protests, hammering people with guilt, or shaming people will not get results but usually backfire. Unfortunately, laws are necessary for the sinful world we live in. 

I ask you now dear friend, how can you tackle R.A.C.I.S.M in life?
Dear friend, how you tackle racism in life will determine what results you will see.  The way to tackle racism is to try to apply what you learned above. This is not a full proof way to tackle racism but a start. One of the best ways to tackle racism is to go through the Bible, watch a movie or series, and discuss Bible, the movie or series.

In conclusion, never shut people down even if they are sharing things that are boiling you and burning you on the inside. Unless you know what a person is thinking and why they are thinking like that, there can be no opportunity for resolution. If a person says to you something, it does no good to say, 'I cannot believe you could think that way', 'I am shocked at you', 'And you are supposed to be a Christian?', 'Don't message me anymore your thoughts.' 'It is time to unfriend you and block you' and finally, when people open up to you and share their views, don't shame them by posting it all over facebook. I have seen these things happen. It may give you a feeling of satisfaction that you got back at the person but at what cost?

That is not the way to work through racial reconciliation. Instead, no matter what people share, the best thing to do is keep asking questions. Why do you feel that way? The more you know a person's thought process, the more you can try to convince him/her otherwise by pointing holes in their argument or they can point holes in your argument. More than anything, it makes the other person know, they can tell you anything. Never give the narrative if you change the party in power, racism will go away. It will not go away and we know that! Let us openly in confession and repentance discuss about racism to tackle it. Yet, we need to remember why it is not happening in churches, etc. 

Why do you think the topic of racism or politics is rarely discussed in church, etc?

It is because people don't want to make themselves vulnerable or they believe that they will be judged so badly. Sadly, that happens! Whether you like it or not, racism and politics are intertwined  But as stated before changing parties is not a way to tackle racism. Instead, interact, interact, interact.

People would rather avoid being uncomfortable or shamed then to keep interacting until a resolution is found. This is because people cannot take being judged or attacked. Let's get over that and be honest with each other. Let us say, 'Bring it on. Keep sharing. Let's work through this in this amount of time frame going back and forth. If our views are not changed, that's okay. Atleast, we will know we tried and tried. Then, we can agree to disagree.' When you are tackling racism, facebook messenger, wall posts, etc are not the best avenue. It is better to video chat or talk over the phone. Even better is face to face chat.

Before you enter that path though, know the state of your friendship without assuming. If you believe your friendship is strong, you can bluntly share. But that could backfire too :( But, if you think your friendship maybe shallow, you will be more in danger of souring your friendship or even losing it.

You need to ask yourself, 'Is it worth to lose a friendship over sharing your views? 

To some their views are so important that thay may risk losing a friendship. But if it is over Truth then let it be, even though sad :(  When I say Truth, I mean biblical Truth. Usually, when it is done Jesus' way, the results will be like the Samaritans. Even if they are not, you will know you followed the Way of the Master. You leave the rest in His Arms of Love. Racism or political discourse cannot be tackled without being willing to be criticized or show love.

"Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends!" (Proverbs 17:9, TLB)

"It is harder to win back the friendship of an offended brother than to capture a fortified city. His anger shuts you out like iron bars." (Proverbs 18:19, TLB)

"There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24, TLB)

"Most people will tell you what loyal friends they are, but are they telling the truth?" (Proverbs 20:6, TLB)

"Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy?" (Proverbs 27:6, TLB)

What kind of friend will you be to those who do not see eye to eye with you?

If you have a friend you think is racist or politically out there, shunning the person or avoiding is not the answer. Dialogue, Dialogue, Dialogue. I have a long way to go in this matter too because when people don't see eye to eye with me, I try to force the issue. I need to follow Jesus' way. This devotional has challenged me too!

"Racism Attack Carefully Implementing Savior's Method!"(R.A.C.I.S.M)/"How can you tackle R.A.C.I.S.M in life?"

Prayer: 
Dear Lord Jesus, you know the situations each of us face. You know the hurts, the trials, the problems, the circumstances, and everything else that we face. Lord you know what is happening in this world and it is bigger than any political party. No political party will solve racism because only your touch in people's heart can. Help us to see others as you see them, like you saw the Samaritan woman. We need you Lord. Let us not weaponize race but let love rule. Help us to be open to share without shutting people down because we don't agree with them or assume we will never agree. Instead let us keep sharing if allowed to change minds and leave the results in your precious Hands. We need you to help us fight racism and can never ever think if so and so is in power, racism will go away. It won't go away because Satan does not want it to go away. We need you Lord and the power of your love. Help us Jesus please. Thank you Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!