May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are One - FIGHTING PREJUDICE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

It was not easy, however, for the apostles to put aside their prejudice.  They were surprised to see that Jesus was willing to teach a Samaritan woman.  (John 4:9, 27) Jewish religious leaders  would not talk to a woman in public, let along a Samaritan woman with a questionable reputation.  The apostles urged Jesus to eat. But his reply indicated that he was so absorbed in the spiritual discussion that his hunger could be ignored.  Preaching-even to a Samaritan woman-was the will of his Father, and it was like food for him. -John 4:31-34.

James and John did not grasp this lesson.  When Journeying with Jesus through Samaria, the disciples sought overnight lodging in a Samaritan village.  The Samaritans refused to receive them, so James and John angrily suggested calling down fire from heaven to destroy the entire village.  Jesus firmly rebuked them.  (Luke 9:51-56)  We may wonder if James and John would have reacted the same way if the inhospitable village had been in their home region of Galilee.  It seems likely that prejudice had kindled their animosity.  It could be that the apostle John felt embarrassed about his rash outburst when he later enjoyed a successful preaching campaign among the Samaritans. -Acts 8:14, 25. 

Not long after the Pentecost 33 C.E., an issue of discrimination arose.  When distributing food to needy widows, Greek-speaking widows were overlooked. (Acts 6:1) Prejudice about language may have been a factor.  The apostles quickly rectified matters by appointing qualified men to handle the food distribution.  All these spiritually qualified men had Greek names.  They may have had made them more acceptable to the offended widows.  

Next time: May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are  One - Conclusion of  FIGHTING PREJUDICE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

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