Jesus asked for water. And had a comparatively long conversation with the woman about cultural conflicts over religion and worship.

The woman asked for healing for her child. And Jesus had a relatively long conversation with her about who could expect what from God.

Martha met him on the edge of town. And Jesus had a relatively long conversation with her about life and death and resurrection.

We notice these interactions these days because they were conversations with women. We see that Jesus noticed and interacted with women.

But these interactions were also interactions. They were conversations with people. Jesus talked with people.

He talked with Nicodemus who came to have a thoughtful conversation about things that mattered to him.

He talked with the smaller group of disciples about ways to live and not live.

He talked with a guy about what it would take to enter the kingdom of heaven.

I know that there were debates that happened when people were attempting to trap him.

But these stories of Jesus being present in conversations permeate the Gospels. Sometimes he starts them, other times he continues them. Always, he listens and speaks to the deeper questions people are considering.

As we consider the presence of Jesus and allow it to shape our own interactions, this respect for people across divides is significant. He is living out love. As if he embodied it.

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A heads up for October. Because of other activities, I’m sharing writing that’s part of a book about caring in hospitals that I’ve never published: Before You Walk In. If you are interested in the book, let me know and I’ll look at getting it published.