How Jesus Broke Down Barriers

This week in Battle Drill devotionals, we focus on what it means to place God at the centre of our lives – our work, our rest, and our worship.

Read John 4:5-14. Is there an area of your town that you avoid? A place that has a bad reputation – perhaps because of violence or drug misuse. Or perhaps it makes you afraid and uncomfortable. Jesus gives us an example of breaking down our barriers to these areas.

The account of Jesus’ meeting with a woman at a well begins by telling us he had to go through Samaria. Why is this significant? The Jews hated the Samaritans, and strict Jews would do anything they could to avoid going through Samaria as a result. When travelling from Judea to Galilee, they would take a route around it, through Perea, east of the river Jordan, even though the journey took much longer.

So why did Jesus have to go through Samaria? It was unlikely to be roadworks! Jesus was not following those yellow diversion signs! We can understand it was necessary for Jesus to go through Samaria because the gift of salvation he had to give was for the Samaritans – in fact, it was for everyone – not just the Jews.

Jesus’ good news is for everyone – no matter their race, social position, religious orientation, or past sins. As his followers, we want to be prepared to share this good news with everyone at any time and in any place.

Jesus crossed all social barriers to share his good news. We must do the same!

Think It Over

Think about the following:

• Where is your Samaria? What could you do to share Jesus’ good news in that place this week and beyond?