Breaking Down BarriersSample

You know you’re enjoying yourself when you didn’t realise the time for lunch has been and gone! Talking about who Jesus is, and what He has done for us, is one of the most energising and fulfilling things we can do. When Jesus sees Samaritans hiking to the well to meet Him, He’s more than ready to make space in His day to talk with them. This life-giving mission is not something He keeps to Himself though. It’s something He invites us to join in with.

Remembering that this is His mission which we’re invited to join in with can both embolden and comfort us. It’s not our power that changes lives; it’s His. The ‘harvest’ doesn’t depend on us; it’s a team effort. One sows and another reaps, but it’s God who makes the rain fall. Here in John 4, the Samaritan woman sows seeds by inviting people to investigate Jesus. She wasn’t the first though. God was at work in Samaria for the past thousand years speaking through the Bible and through prophets. The disciples get to join in the harvest that God has already prepared, seeing people not only hear about Jesus but actually meet Him and trust Him to save the world.

Jesus invites us to join in with His plan so that we can share His joy. Planting the idea that Jesus is good news, inviting people to investigate Him and encouraging them to trust Him for salvation isn’t a burden that Jesus puts on us to lighten His own load. It’s a life-giving task that leads to rejoicing for all involved, and it’s His strength that will accomplish the celebrations.

If you’re sowing seeds and wondering if you’ll ever see fruit – persevere. One day you’ll rejoice with the reaper! If you have the joy of seeing people trust Jesus – share the joy with others, remembering that you’ve reaped where others have laboured. Whatever opportunities you have today to sow or reap, be thankful that Jesus is sharing His food with you and giving you a reason to rejoice! How does the thought of talking about Jesus with others make you feel? How can you grow in confidence in talking about Jesus?