Just then [Jesus'] disciples came back [from the village]. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?"
—John 4:27 NLT
The disciples returned and found themselves confused and astonished. Jesus was doing the unthinkable — he was visiting with a woman from Samaria. During their journey with Jesus through his years of ministry, they found themselves confused again and again. Why? Because Jesus came to reach the lost, to save the sinner, to heal the sick. He reached out and touched the untouchables and welcomed the outcast and sinners. He broke the religious culture's "rules of engagement" as he broke through every prejudice and every barrier to reach the seeking heart. We may not know how to cross barriers as well as he did, but we know we must try. Jesus' meeting with the woman is not just an example to us of reaching beyond cultural barriers; he also made cross-cultural outreach a command for us to obey in his Great Commission when he said to go to "all the nations." [1] He is not really the confusing Christ; he is the Christ on a mission to reach the world. Let's join him in his quest.
[1] Matthew 28:18-20.
Father, please give me a heart for people who are seeking for your life. Give me the wisdom to see the opportunities to touch these seekers that you have placed in my path. Let my love for the lost astonish others to your glory and to the furtherance of the ministry of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—John 4:27 NLT
Key Thought
The disciples returned and found themselves confused and astonished. Jesus was doing the unthinkable — he was visiting with a woman from Samaria. During their journey with Jesus through his years of ministry, they found themselves confused again and again. Why? Because Jesus came to reach the lost, to save the sinner, to heal the sick. He reached out and touched the untouchables and welcomed the outcast and sinners. He broke the religious culture's "rules of engagement" as he broke through every prejudice and every barrier to reach the seeking heart. We may not know how to cross barriers as well as he did, but we know we must try. Jesus' meeting with the woman is not just an example to us of reaching beyond cultural barriers; he also made cross-cultural outreach a command for us to obey in his Great Commission when he said to go to "all the nations." [1] He is not really the confusing Christ; he is the Christ on a mission to reach the world. Let's join him in his quest.
[1] Matthew 28:18-20.
Today's Prayer
Father, please give me a heart for people who are seeking for your life. Give me the wisdom to see the opportunities to touch these seekers that you have placed in my path. Let my love for the lost astonish others to your glory and to the furtherance of the ministry of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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