Ken’s Articles on the Christian Faith
Jesus’ news outlet
In one of the longest recorded conversations, Jesus explained to a Samaritan harlot that he was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah.
It seems that she was the first person to whom Jesus confided this fact, (John 4.25-26).
How remarkable that, in an earlier audience which Jesus held with Nicodemus, a respected Jewish theologian, he didn’t mention his identity.
This woman was drawn by Jesus’ respect for her as a person.
In response to his acknowledgement of her worth and human dignity, and his genuine regard for her as his equal, she was converted on the spot.
Then a short time later, when the townspeople saw the immediate change in her life, they wanted to met the Messiah for themselves.
As a result, many of them were converted too! See how it happened.
First, Jesus did not seek publicity by exploiting the obvious admiration of Nicodemus (John 3:1-2).
Secondly, he willingly risked adverse publicity by speaking to a hated Samaritan – what’s more, one with a bad reputation!
Third, he refused to label people as socially unacceptable.
In particular, he treated a woman – even though she was a harlot – as his equal and not as a second class citizen.
As a result, she become his self-appointed publicity agent.
What more effective news outlet could Jesus have wished for?
GOOD NEWS IN BRIEF
To love to talk is one thing – to love those to whom we talk, quite another.
Ken Packer
(I am a writer based in South Australia who has been privileged over many years to write columns for city and country newspapers in Australia. My simple goal has been to share good news and hope with a world sorely lacking in both.
I hope as you visit these pages that you will find encouragement and stimulus for thought. I have discovered through all the ups and downs of life that contentment is to be found in relationship with God. May you gain glimpses here of the same reality.
Welcome to this website! Ken Packer)
Below click on more of Ken’s articles in PDF format now in alphabetical order which can be downloaded.