21 Days of DiscipleshipSample

Line-Crossing Love

The meat of the fourth chapter of John focuses on an intentional encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. To set the scene, it helps to understand that Jews and Samaritans despised each other. As in, the Jews saw the Samaritans as literally less than human and the Samaritans thought of Jews as a bunch of self-righteous, evil-stepmother types. It was this tension that Jesus moved toward. Literally. He led His disciples towards Samaria and stopped at a well just outside the city.

While they went and found something to eat, Jesus stayed by the well and waited. This Samaritan woman showed up and Jesus asked for a drink. Little did she know this was the setup for her salvation. 

Here’s the thing: She wasn’t just a Samaritan woman, she was a Samaritan woman with a past. This past involved five different marriages, and nothing seemed to be changing in her life because she was already living with another guy. Still, Jesus picked that moment and that woman to reveal His identity as the long awaited Messiah. 

When the disciples got back, they were completely shocked to find Jesus chilling by a well sharing a drink with a sinful Samaritan. It messed with all their preconceived ideas! Jesus’ ministry was marked by this kind of behavior. He didn’t draw lines to keep people out; He constantly crossed lines to bring people in. To seek and save the lost. Because that’s what love does.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to love how He loved; to be willing to cross whatever socioeconomic, religious, and cultural lines necessary to bring people into the Kingdom we are a part of.

Think about this: How terrible would a search and rescue team be if they let that little plastic “caution” tape block them from plunging into the forest to save someone? That would be insane! So why would we allow our own comfort or cultural lines to stop us from joining Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost? Disciples of Jesus display His line-crossing love.

Challenge: Who is someone who’s difficult for you to love? Why? What line can you cross to reach out to them today? Now, do it! Send that message, write that note, apologize, forgive, ask to pray with them, etc. Display line-crossing love today.