Sermon Reflections from Most Likely To- GO NORTH | Sara Wade| Oct 27, 2024
Sarah presented us with a challenge to let God work in our lives even if it calls for us to move out of our comfort zone. We all love our comfort zone and feel safe and secure operating within those set boundaries. Each of the people she chose to highlight as examples in scripture had boundaries and Jesus challenged them to move.
John 4:1-26 relates the story of the woman at the well whom Jesus interacted with even though it was not within the normal customs. He, a Jewish man, spoke to a woman and not just any woman but a Samaritan woman. There were various reasons he should not have spoken- her gender, her ethnicity and her social status. Jesus was intent on giving her ‘living water’ and bringing her to faith. We see in this outreach Jesus’ impartiality and desire for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” We can apply that to our lives today. Jesus wants all to come to him regardless of their race, gender or social status!
John 5 1-17 provides our example number 2 of the lame man who had waited for years and years at the Pool of Bethsaida to go into the waters and be healed. There were various reasons Jesus should have just walked on by this man. It was the Sabbath and he was on his way to the synagogue because of a holiday feast. The man was ill and unclean and had not even called to him. Jesus was intent on healing this man as he knew his disability and his sense of hopelessness, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” verse 7. Jesus wanted to heal this man but the man had to be willing. Jesus was there and ready, if he was ready. The man grasped hold of the hope given by Jesus and was healed. Jesus was compassionate as he knew what the man needed both physically and spiritually. He also challenged the rules about working on the Sabbath showing his power and authority.
John 6:1-15 gives us our third example in the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus’ intent with this miracle was to lead the disciples and attending crowd to greater faith. Jesus does not want us lacking in faith but filled and vigorous. Upon seeing the approaching crowd, Jesus asked the disciples where they would get food to feed the crowd as they were meeting for a long time and far removed from a town. Jesus wanted to show his care and compassion on all who attended not just a favored few. The disciples were thinking with their practical minds not their spiritual minds. They said it would take a year’s wages to feed them even if we could get the food. Andrew knew the Lord and suggested there was a young man with a sack lunch holding 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus had the people sit down, blessed the food and had the disciples distribute the food. When all had eaten, they gathered 12 baskets of leftovers! Jesus was intent on showing them that faith placed in Him will be multiplied, filling was for all and always comes with care and compassion.
What do these stories say to us today? Jesus wants to meet people where they are- at the well, by the pool, in the fields. We need to be willing to go there and be the ones to show them our Jesus. He will bring who needs to come. Jesus in impartial and compassionate towards all, and we need to do likewise to meet their needs. In all cases, Jesus met their physical needs – water, healing, food, before presenting spiritual food. Where is Jesus asking you to go for Him? Each of us has different wells, pools and fields where he has placed us. Be bold and step out for Jesus and with Jesus this week.
Linda
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