Genuine Encounters: What Jesus Teaches About Meeting People

Every day brings dozens of tiny chances to connect with someone—a quick hello, a paused step to help, a conversation that lingers. Most of those moments slide by unnoticed. But what if one of those encounters could be the moment someone meets Jesus through your kindness? The way Jesus handled ordinary, awkward, even uncomfortable meetings gives us three practical keys to make those moments matter.

Why ordinary encounters matter

People are often tired, angry, lonely, or worn out. Those states make them harder to approach and easier to dismiss. Yet Jesus repeatedly showed up in the messy, inconvenient places—at a well in the heat of the day, at the feet of a crying woman in a crowded house—and turned awkward moments into life-changing ones.

I remember driving home once and stopping for an elderly couple who were in trouble. That simple stop left me replaying what else I could have done: invited them in, offered to pray, even stayed longer. Those feelings—of missed opportunity and “what if”—are useful. They remind us to treat everyday meetings as more than small interruptions.

The three keys Jesus modeled

From the woman at the well and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, three consistent habits stand out. They’re practical and repeatable.

1. Be open and available

Jesus sat by the well even though he was tired and hungry. He didn’t rush away when the apostles left—he stayed open to the person coming up the hill. Openness means resisting the instinct to avoid people when we’re busy, annoyed, or out of our comfort zone.

Tip: Notice the small signs someone is struggling—avoidance, tiredness, awkwardness—and choose to stay present. A single question like “Can you give me some water?” or “Are you okay?” can start a deeper conversation.

2. Give time and real attention

Jesus invested time in both women. He listened, asked questions, and didn’t rush to a quick fix. Attention is scarce in our lives—work, family, phones, and distractions fight for it. If we never slow down, we will never see what someone truly needs.

Practical step: Put your phone away during brief encounters. Eye contact and a few uninterrupted minutes tell people they matter more than whatever else you were doing.

3. Show sincere care and concern

Sincerity breaks walls. People recognize fake sympathy a mile away. The woman at the well and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet both responded because they saw genuine, nonjudgmental care. That care looked like attention, compassion, and the willingness to meet someone in shame or pain rather than judge them from a distance.

When someone senses real care, they start to open up. That opening makes space for healing, forgiveness, and hope—things we can offer because they reflect the living water Jesus talked about.

Common barriers—and how to overcome them

Bias, comfort, and the lure of online outrage create invisible walls. We sort people by appearance, politics, or shared hobbies and grant attention only to those inside our little circles. James calls that partiality—treating some people better than others—and warns it turns us into judges with evil thoughts.

Think of your social bubble as an invisible fence. Every time you shut someone out, you add another brick. Over time that fence becomes a wall. The antidote is simple, if uncomfortable: let the bricklayer go.

Small habits that tear down the wall

• Start conversations with people you wouldn’t normally approach.
• Offer practical help first—water, a listening ear, directions—before offering advice.
• Respond to a stranger’s need with curiosity rather than judgment.
• Turn one moment of compassion into one more: follow up later if possible.

What “living water” looks like today

Jesus promised living water—an ongoing source of life and hope. We can’t forgive sins the way Jesus did, but we can offer the same kinds of things that point people to grace:

1. Unhurried presence.
2. Bold compassion in awkward moments.
3. Consistency—small acts of kindness done often.

As Gandalf says (and as the story reminds us), it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary people that keep darkness at bay. A word of encouragement, a warm meal, a sincere conversation—these are the living water many people are desperate for.

Practical challenge

This week, look for three “chance encounters” you would normally pass by. For each one:

• Be available—pause instead of rushing on.
• Give attention—ask a short, open question and listen.
• Show sincere care—do one small, concrete thing that helps.

Keep it simple. The point is not grand gestures but consistent, sincere presence. Over time those small moments reshape communities.

Closing prayer

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.