Breaking Down BarriersSample

Last time, we looked at how Jesus doesn’t wait for people to come to Him; He goes to them. We’ve also looked at how Jesus uses His needs to connect to a stranger who’s likely to view Him as an enemy. Once He’s built this bridge, He uses it as an opportunity to bring good news.

What He says:

·He offers ‘living water’ that wells up to ‘eternal life’.

·He draws attention to an area of the woman’s life that causes her great shame.

·He teaches her to worship God in ‘spirit and truth’.

·He tells her that He is the Messiah.

Let me try to put these ideas in my own words: Jesus wants to give us a gift that will truly satisfy us, unlike the shameful things we do that fail to fulfil our desires. He wants us to recognise the need we have for Him and that salvation does not come from ourselves. He teaches us to worship God.

Jesus wants us to repent (to repent literally means to make a 180º turn, asking God for forgiveness), to receive fullness of life from Him, and to worship God.

How He says it:

Jesus contextualises His message. They’re standing by a well, and He talks about living water. The woman understands Jacob did a great thing when he dug the well; she relies on it to stay alive. Jesus taps into this and tells her that, likewise, she needs to rely on Him for eternal and satisfying life.

The basic message is a call to repentance, to receive life from Jesus, and to worship God. The message doesn’t change but the presentation might. Communicating the message in fresh ways is not an easy task, but don’t worry. You don’t need to be a master poet. You just need to be willing to go, trust the Holy Spirit to empower you, and pray with Paul that, ‘words may be given to me… to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news.’

As you share your needs and build bridges for the good news this week, pray for courage to share Jesus’ message. What things around you are good metaphors for the positive changes Jesus makes? What issues that bring death instead of life can you lovingly contrast with Jesus’ gifts? In what ways is your own life being drained by sin and shame or filled by Jesus’ living water? Ask the Spirit to help you communicate with clear words and with His power.