Just then his disciples came back. They marvelled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” – John 4:27
The disciples return and find themselves confused and astonished. Jesus was doing the unthinkable — he is visiting with a woman from Samaria. During their journey with Jesus through his years of ministry, they will find themselves confused again and again. Why? Because Jesus came to reach the lost, to save the sinner, to heal 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 makes cross-cultural outreach a command for us to obey in his Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). 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.
Finishing Well
Hebrews 12:1
In a race, what’s most important isn’t how one begins but how one finishes. Prizes are awarded only for crossing the finish line, not for great starts. And this is also true for the Christian life. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” In 2 Timothy 4:9-11, we see a contrast between two runners: Mark (also known as John Mark) and Demas.
That’s why Scripture reminds us to lay aside every encumbrance hindering our race (Hebrews 12:1-2). Once we cross the finish line and see Christ face-to-face, all worldly pleasures will fade in comparison to the joy of hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21 NIV).
Enjoying God
Psalm 5:11-12
The Scriptures are full of verses that speak of the enjoyment God’s people find in Him, and this sometimes leaves us wondering why our experience doesn’t match theirs. If we aren’t delighting in the Lord on a consistent basis, there may be some hindrances in our life.
When we really enjoy the Lord, we find ourselves slow to leave His presence and desiring to linger. Does this describe your relationship with your heavenly Father?
[Message No: 6299]
The disciples return and find themselves confused and astonished. Jesus was doing the unthinkable — he is visiting with a woman from Samaria. During their journey with Jesus through his years of ministry, they will find themselves confused again and again. Why? Because Jesus came to reach the lost, to save the sinner, to heal 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 makes cross-cultural outreach a command for us to obey in his Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). 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.
Finishing Well
Hebrews 12:1
In a race, what’s most important isn’t how one begins but how one finishes. Prizes are awarded only for crossing the finish line, not for great starts. And this is also true for the Christian life. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” In 2 Timothy 4:9-11, we see a contrast between two runners: Mark (also known as John Mark) and Demas.
That’s why Scripture reminds us to lay aside every encumbrance hindering our race (Hebrews 12:1-2). Once we cross the finish line and see Christ face-to-face, all worldly pleasures will fade in comparison to the joy of hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21 NIV).
Enjoying God
Psalm 5:11-12
The Scriptures are full of verses that speak of the enjoyment God’s people find in Him, and this sometimes leaves us wondering why our experience doesn’t match theirs. If we aren’t delighting in the Lord on a consistent basis, there may be some hindrances in our life.
When we really enjoy the Lord, we find ourselves slow to leave His presence and desiring to linger. Does this describe your relationship with your heavenly Father?
[Message No: 6299]
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