City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:1-7 (ESV)

⁷ A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” ⁸ (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) ⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

²⁷ Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” ²⁸ So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” ³⁰ They went out of the town and were coming to him.

³⁵ Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

John 4:7-9, 27-29,35

Reflection

Engaging our society as Christians is a subject I deem very important. I grew up in a missionary household and my parents spent time reaching those who were foreigners and outcasts in the society. It grew in me a heart to reach out to those from different backgrounds and cultures to help build relationships and share the good news about Jesus.

A topic that is close to my heart gives me a chance to share a passage from my book that I wrote on this topic called, Breaking Barriers. In chapter 6, I discuss the woman at the well found in John 4.

Instead of directly giving Jesus a drink of water, the first thing she does is ask Jesus why a Jew, like Him, would ask a Samaritan for a drink of water. She could not do as Jesus asked without wanting to know the reason why. Her curiosity got the best of her as she did not receive the reaction from Jesus that any other Jew would have provided her. She lived around a culture of people that chose to view her as inferior and [she] lived under this racism her entire life. This cultural divide drove the interaction that she had with Jesus. It was an interaction that she would not have had if Jesus did not speak to her first.

Breaking Barriers, p 93

When we engage society, we surprise them by our willingness to approach others and break the social norms that are put in place. We can heal brokenness and hurt with our love for others and to engage with them. The Samaritan woman was changed eternally and many in her village came to know the Lord as their Messiah and Savior. Jesus didn’t have to speak to the entire village, but only to reach a broken woman and show her love and kindness that others would not.

I go on to make three points. The first is to walk with a purpose; to be spirit led in interactions that you have. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into conversations and to go places that you may not normally go. The second is to preach with boldness. Don’t be afraid to share the gospel and to tell others of your testimony. The Holy Spirit will work through you. And the third point is to stay if necessary. God may use you to remain in a community and help them grow in faith.

Application

Have you prayed for God to bring you to a situation or place to reach someone for Christ or to speak a word that was given to you?

Are there communities of people around you that you feel are unapproachable? Why is that?

Have you ever had the chance to speak to a stranger or someone who seemed different than you? Did you have a good conversation as a result?

(Questions taken from pg 107 of Breaking Barriers)

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me get boldness and courage to reach those around me. Help me to engage my society and to be a light to those around me. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.