Jesus, the Interrupter
ReRead: John 4:7-8
Friday 3/13/15 Day 21
Ponder: Jesus says to this Samaritan woman, “Give me a drink.” He is alone because the disciples have gone into the village to buy food. Jesus breaks the rules or “norms” of Jewish culture; Messiah speaks with a woman in public, engages in coversation with a Samaritan (Samaritans are dispised by Jews), and asks her for a drink from her jar which would make him ceremonially unclean by Jewish Law. Have you ever noticed Jesus is indifferent to cultural “norms?”
Practice: Jesus interrupts our daily lives to gain our attention; otherwise, we will just keep living on the outside edges of abundant life. We must listen to his requests, and honor him by acting on his Word to our hearts. We will need to act in faith, because what Jesus asks of us is not always “normal.” We can not play it safe with “normal” and lay hold of something more at the same time.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to interrupt my “normal” life with the purpose of extending to me abundant life. I want all that Jesus died to give me, so help me let go of the things that are merely comfortable. Make me bold so I will not settle for playing it safe. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mission: When Jesus gains your attention by revealing to you people who are disatisfied with life, lovingly influence them to step out of their disatisfying “norm” and by faith reach for Someone who can give their lives deep meaning. We must dig new and deep wells in the love of God. Jesus is the Way.