Reach Out and Touch

by Benjamin Anderson

Do you know someone who feels lost and condemned. . . It doesn't matter whether they are gay or straight, living in open sin or closeted, relative or just an acquaintance, in the church or out of it.

The questions to be asked are: "What have you done about it?" and "What would Jesus do?"

It was a hot day, and the sun beat down on the weary travelers. For four hours, Jesus and His disciples had been making their way over dusty, barren hills, anticipating the cool drink of water they would find at Jacob’s well. However, since they arrived there in the middle of the day, it was long past the time when the women of the city came to draw water for their daily household needs.

Jesus, weary and faint from the journey, sat by the well as the disciples went to buy something for their lunch. The closest place to buy any food was in the city of Samaria, a place the disciples loathed, because Samaritans were considered apostates and as such, the scum of the earth, -sinners of the worst kind.

As Jesus rested from the heat, He noticed a woman carrying a water jug, headed for the well. Now, maybe, He would be able to get a drink, and in turn, offer her the Water of Life!

Knowing her lifestyle was unacceptable to others, this Samaritan woman was coming to get water in the heat of the day. She hoped to avoid the sneers and snide remarks of the other women who came during the cool hours of the morning. She was tired of being called names and treated as a worthless tramp.

Jesus understood the heart’s desire of this woman, and I think He planned this meeting in advance. He wanted the love of the Father to flow through Him to her thirsty soul. He planned this encounter for the good of the woman, for the instruction of His disciples and for our benefit today, to show us how he treats outcasts and people living in open sin. Through the discourse at Jacob’s well, Jesus taught some of the most beautiful lessons of His earthly ministry. Not only was this outcast woman converted, but she in turn, brought others to meet Jesus, the long hoped for Messiah.

We’re told in The Desire of Ages, page194, that "The Saviour is still carrying forward the same work as when He proffered the water of life to the woman of Samaria. Those who call themselves His followers may despise and shun the outcast ones; but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from the children of men. To every soul, however sinful, Jesus says, "If thou hadst asked of Me, I would have given thee living water."

When I was out living in the gay world, many church members treated me as an outcast. Almost all of my Christian friends gave me up as a worthless cause. Some, I found out later, continued to pray for me, but never made contact or showed any personal interest other than that.

However, there was one woman from my former church called Velma, who didn’t preach or condemn, and never gave up on me. She continued to send Birthday cards each year, and little notes now and then. Every once in a while she would call long distance to see how I was doing. She let me know that she was praying for me, but never asked questions about whether I was going to church or studying my Bible. She just wanted to be my friend, and continued to show love and concern, even though I was living the life of a prodigal.

Thirteen years later, when I surrendered my life back to the Lord, she was one of the first ones I phoned, to share the good news! Thankfully, she followed the example of the Savior in reaching out to those who have fallen into Satan’s snares.

Now, I have a question for each one of you reading this. Do you know of someone who feels lost and condemned by the church? It doesn’t matter whether they’re gay or straight, living in open sin or closeted, a relative or just an acquaintance, in the church or out of it. They may have brought heartache and disease upon themselves. But the question is, what have you done about it? Have you written a note, or given a phone call? Have you ignored, snubbed, or gone out of you way to avoid them? Have you given up after a few tries, or continued to reach out, even when your prayers seemed to go unanswered? Have you asked yourself, what would Jesus do, then tried to follow in His footsteps?

In Christ’s Object Lessons, page 386, we’re told that "No distinction on account of nationality, race or caste, is recognized by God. He is the maker of all mankind. All men are one family by creation, and all are one through redemption…His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s circle the poor souls who have been deluded by his deceptions. It places them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise."

We need to remember, that no matter how sinful or degraded we might think a person is, Christ sees only a soul in need of love and salvation. May we reach out to those who seem hopeless and beyond help. Jesus died for them and loves them with an everlasting love. Let’s allow Him to love others through us, by bringing them the Water of Life!