Kindness Doesn't Have Favorites: Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Hey, Carpool Crew! I'm Pastor Justin, and whether you're in the car on the way to school, finishing breakfast, or getting ready for homeschool, I'm really glad you're here today. Alright, here's your One Thing for the ride: Jesus loves everyone, and kindness is for everyone too, no matter how different they are. Our story today comes from John 4:9-10. Jesus is traveling, and he stops at a well. While he's there, a Samaritan woman comes to get water. Now this might not sound like a big deal, but it was. Because Jews and Samaritans did not get along. At all. They didn't talk. They didn't hang out. They avoided each other. So when Jesus asked her for a drink, she was shocked. She basically said, 'Why are you talking to me?' But Jesus didn't avoid her. He didn't ignore her. He didn't treat her like she didn't matter. He showed kindness. He talked with her. He respected her. He cared about her. And in that moment, Jesus showed something really important: God's love is not just for certain people. It's for everyone. If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, I think he'd say something like this: 'My friend, it's easy to be kind to people who are just like you. But I want you to love everyone, even people who feel different, look different, or act different. That's what my love looks like.' That's where this gets real. Think about your day. Maybe there's someone at school who's new. Or someone who dresses differently. Or someone who plays different games than you. And it's easy to just walk by. Not because you're trying to be mean, but because it feels uncomfortable. Let me tell you something I've seen before. There was a new kid at school. They didn't talk much. They dressed a little differently. And most kids didn't really know what to say to them. So they just didn't say anything. But one person decided to do something different. They walked over. Started a conversation. Asked a simple question. And you know what? They found out they actually had a lot in common. That one moment of kindness turned into a real friendship. That's what Jesus is showing us. Kindness doesn't have favorites. Kindness doesn't say, 'I'll be nice to people like me.' Kindness says, 'I will choose love, no matter what.' So here's how this plays out for you today: first, notice people who feel left out. Look for the ones others might overlook. Second, choose kindness first. Even if it feels awkward at the beginning. Third, remember that everyone matters to God. And that means they should matter to us too. Let's come back to your One Thing: Jesus loves everyone, and kindness is for everyone too, no matter how different they are. No matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And hey parents, if this episode encouraged your family, share it with another parent who wants to raise kids who love like Jesus. Before you go, talk about this together: who is someone you can show kindness to today, even if they're different from you? Alright Carpool Crew, thanks for riding with me today. I'll see you next time.