The Missional Message

John 4

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

It is difficult to put this story in to context in a 21 century Britain, but the cultural barriers that Jesus confronts here in this passage are staggering.
Jesus speaks to a woman in public. A totally unacceptable thing to do.
Jesus approaches a Samaritan. A totally unacceptable thing to do.

Of course, it was only unacceptable because of the culture present at the time. Jesus smashes the cultural barrier, because for him the culture of God's kingdom is much more important. There are a years worth of sermons in this passage, but I want to suggest the following;

- The kingdom of God is inclusive of everyone.
- We are called to be the 'incarnation' and go to those on the edge or outside of society.
- A missional message transforms culture and community.

If that is true of Jesus, let it be true of our lives and ministries.

Let it be true of our church.