Barrier Breaker
So He left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually He came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give Me a drink.” He was alone at the time because His disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are You asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water.”
John 4:3-10 (NLT)
Jesus breaks down barriers.
Those we see in the birth narrative of Christ aren’t who we’d expect. Throughout His public ministry, Jesus engages with people who’d have drawn the ire and scrutiny of the religious elite. Perhaps no story better illustrates this than that of the woman at the well in John 4.
You didn’t have to walk through Samaria to get from Judea to Galilee. Many Jews, who hated Samaritans, would lengthen their journey to walk around Samaria. On the occasions when there was no other choice, they’d make haste to get through Samaria with maximum expediency. Isn’t it interesting that where we find Jesus is resting by a well in Samaria? Not taking the long way around. Not hightailing His way through. Almost as if the reason He had to go through Samaria was to encounter this woman.
Just by conversing with this woman, He breaks down many barriers. First, she was a woman, and He was a man. A Jewish rabbi didn’t speak publicly to women. Next, she’s a Samaritan, while He’s a Jew. As we find out from the full text, this was a woman with a checkered past (and present). Jesus doesn’t let gender, racial or sin barriers prevent Him from offering living water to this woman.
And He doesn’t let any barriers stand between us either. Praise be to God!
If we’re going to follow Christ, then we must live as He did. We break down barriers in the name of sharing the Gospel and advancing His Kingdom.
Application:
Where did God meet you? Reflect on who you were and how He transformed your life. Express your gratitude for His salvation. Ask Him to reveal to you who you might reach out to in the name of advancing His Kingdom.
Prayer:
God,
Thank You for Your radical love. Help me to love others the way You love me, and help me to break down barriers in Your name. Show me how I can be used to advance Your Kingdom.
In the matchless name of Christ, I pray,
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?