I had not been in Germany very long before someone explained to me how different the Swiss and Austrians are from the Germans. And in Europe in general, every nation has an opinion about the people across their borders. It is said, for example, that Belgium is a nation created by the Dutch to annoy the French.
The feelings between the Jews and the Samaritans were even harsher. Samaria was populated by Jewish half-breeds, part Jewish and part pagan, with a mixed religion also. Samaria was just north of Judea, and lay between it and Galilee, both of which were populated by Jews. However the average Jew would not even pass through Samaria if they could avoid it, but would take an extra day and travel around it. Jesus once took his disciples directly through it, and they stopped at Jacob's well, a site near the city of Samaria.
Jesus broke down the barrier between these people by his presence and witness. And after the resurrection he told his disciples that they would be his witnesses there. Persecution in Jerusalem caused them to go to Samaria, and there they preached Christ and there was a great response. Christ is doing the same today through the gospel and by his Spirit. Whatever separates people and nations can be put aside in Christ Jesus, and we find unity and love under his Lordship.
