Just Like Jesus (part 2)
JUST LIKE JESUS (PART 2)
Read John 4:7-14.
Bethany gave a lot of thought to her mother’s words about learning to be like Jesus, and she was eager to be more like Him. She decided to read about Jesus in the Gospel of John. Every time she read about something Jesus did that she could follow, she wrote it down in a little notebook.
Thursday morning Mr. Singleton, the school principal, brought a new girl named Kim into Bethany’s class. Some kids snickered because Kim’s clothes were out of style and she had straggly hair.
As Kim found a seat, Melissa slipped Bethany a note with a mean remark about Kim. Bethany smiled at her friend, but she wished that she hadn’t. She had just read about how Jesus had been friendly to a Samaritan woman. Jesus was Jewish, and in those days Jewish people didn’t associate with people from Samaria. But Jesus talked with her anyway. Bethany had written in her notebook, “Be friendly to everyone, even when others are not.”
Dear Lord, she prayed silently, I think You would want me to be Kim’s friend. Please give me courage to make her feel welcome.
As soon as the bell rang, Bethany made her way toward Kim. “Hi,” she said, introducing herself. “Would you like to go to lunch with me?”
In the following days, Melissa and some of Bethany’s other friends acted snobbishly toward Kim. But Bethany continued to treat her as a friend. It wasn’t long before all of the girls accepted Kim too.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to make friends with someone who might seem different, especially when some of your other friends make fun of that person? Jesus would be friendly, though, and He wants you to be kind to others too. Follow His example. Be friendly even if others are not.
TO MEMORIZE:
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:10
BE FRIENDLY.
From the book
