Be Brave to Break Down Barriers

Leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” – John 4:28-29

In Jesus’ day, women usually went to the town well early in the morning to beat the heat. Not so for the Samaritan woman in John Chapter 4. She traveled to the well at noon, alone. Why? Was her shame so intense that she believed she deserved to walk alone? Was she ostracized and trying to steer clear of the town gossip? 

We can’t get inside the Samaritan woman’s head, but we do have access to her conversation with Jesus at the well that day. When He asked her for a drink, she was surprised and questioned Him. He was a Jewish man and she was a Samaritan woman. Their gender and religious differences should have kept them apart: no eye contact, no conversation, no interaction whatsoever. 

What was Jesus thinking?

He was thinking like God, because He was God in the flesh (John 1:14). For God, no one is untouchable, unlovable, off-limits, or out of bounds. All people: every gender, color, size, tribe, and nation are His children. He has no favorites and never picks sides. There is nothing we can do to disqualify us from God’s love. 

When Jesus made it clear to the Samaritan woman that he knew of her long track record of sin, she probably thought, “here we go again, more name calling, more insults.” But instead of ridicule, Jesus chose to reveal to her that He was the long awaited Messiah. 

Perhaps it was being in Jesus’ holy presence, knowing that she was talking with God. Or maybe it was just the relief of being acknowledged as a person of worth, rather than being judged as worthless. Whatever the reason, the Samaritan woman was changed. She had come to the well as a loner, but she left as a confident leader, racing back to her village to call the others to come and meet Jesus. 

Once the people met Jesus and listened to His words, many believed He was the Messiah (John 4:39). The Samaritan woman was the bold leader who brought many more people into God’s family. She is a great example for us all. 

Jesus knows everything about you and still wants to use you to bring more people into His family. Who is in your circle of influence that you can share your faith with this week? Let’s do what the Samaritan woman did.

Spend some time alone in Jesus’ presence. There, He will increase your confidence. Talk to God as you would a friend. Ask Him questions, be still, and listen. He can encourage you to become bold and brave. 

It’s not your job to change minds. Salvation is up to Jesus. But you can be the messenger, calling people close and pointing the way. 

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