John 4

Welcome back guys!  Time to dig into chapter 4 of John.  Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well at the beginning.  This is pretty big for a few different reasons.  First off a man to talk to a woman in public who was a stranger, was thought as weird back in this time.  The other interesting fact is that most Jewish people at this time would not even pass through this area, Samaria, because they really looked down on Samaritans in general.  They were considered less than human because they were mixture of the Assyrian people, a people group that had once overpowered Israel, and the Jews.  I know, it's not cool but it is the way that it was back then. 
So Jesus, in order to show His love for God and this person, didn't do what was easy or what was comfortable, He did what was right.  Amazing!  This woman realized this and was kind of taken back that Jesus would even approach her (v9).  To break across all of these barriers, Jesus did something simple.  He asked her for a drink (v7). 

In turn, He was able to talk to her about trusting in Him and having a relationship with God.  He offered her "living water" or the Holy Spirit.  This "living water" could cleanse her of her sins!  Also by drinking this water she would never thirst again.  In other words, she now also had the opportunity to spend eternity with God!  This happened all because Jesus went against what was "normal".  He didn't fall in line with what every body else thought He should do.  He did what was right, not what was expected! 

Last night at our Junior High meeting, we talked about how it takes real courage to do what is unexpected and different.  Jesus did that all of the time.  People were constantly getting onto Him about not "coloring inside the lines".  It is what ultimately led to His crucifixion.  Pharisees couldn't stand the fact that this "man" (who was actually God) was ruining their perfectly good religion.  But because Jesus came to save those who were lost, He had to go against the norm!  When what is normal goes against God's will, you have to be...weird.  You have to stand out! 

What is it that God wants you to do that is uncomfortable? What person do you need to talk to that no one else will approach or talk to?  What idea or concept do you need to stand against because you know that God would not want you to do that?  Pray about it and then go against the norm!

Cool Fact:
In v24 the word "worship" is translated into English as "worthship".  To worship God is to give Him the credit He is due.