No Longer Strangers

“There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”    —John 4:7

In an opening scene from the movie, Forrest Gump, young, lanky Forrest gets on the bus for his first day of school. As Forrest hesitates at the open bus door, the lady driver says, “Are you comin’ along?”

Forrest thinks and then explains, “Mama said not to be taking rides from strangers.”

The driver replies, “This is the bus to school.”

Forrest solves his dilemma by introducing himself, “I’m Forrest, Forrest Gump.”

The bus driver reciprocates, “I’m Dorothy Harris.”

“Well, now we ain’t strangers anymore,” Forrest concludes as he carefully maneuvers his legs and braces onto the bus.

Forrest’s mother gave him great advice, especially in the world, today. Don’t be taking rides from strangers, but the same advice does not work in Christian ministry and the Kingdom of God. The Bible tells us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).  By His own example, Jesus shows us how to reach out to strangers, even questionable ones.

Jesus and the disciples were traveling through the region of Samaria. Samaria was part of the old northern kingdom of Israel that had been transplanted and intermarried with foreigners. The Samaritans were considered sub-par Jews and outcasts. The disciples went to town to get food while Jesus remained at the well. A Samaritan woman with questionable morals came to the well, and Jesus began to talk with her. After a short conversation, they were no longer strangers.

It was AAABA week in Johnstown. I decided to take a late lunch and catch a few innings of the Martella/Livonia game. With the Forrest Gump clip playing in my head, I ran into a young mother taking her two boys to the game. I helped her park her car and then asked if she could change my dollar for the parking meter. We struck up a conversation, and it turns out she knows some of my people and I know some of hers. We were no longer strangers.

At the game, I introduced myself to a Junior High baseball player and soon to be high school football player. We talked baseball and a little about life. We, too, were no longer strangers. Can you remember the last time you reached out to or asked for help from a stranger? If you introduce yourself and strike up a conversation, you, too, may become friends.

The Kingdom of God is all about reaching out to the lost, the least, and the stranger. When have you done that lately? When have you invited someone to church or done an act of kindness for a stranger in the name of Jesus? Jesus has shown us the way. A few seconds of courage in the name of Jesus may make the difference of a lifetime for someone else. Whisper a prayer, take a deep breath, and reach out in faith. You may also make a new friend, and we need all of those we can get. Hello, I’m Randy. What’s your name?