Jairo Garcia, Youth Intern

 Jesus Turns Challenges into Opportunities

 John 4:1-26 Woman at the Well

The Samaritan Woman was considered unclean.  She went to the well at noon to draw water to avoid the other women who came early in the morning or late in the evening.

Jesus had a purpose to come to the well and meet with the Samaritan Woman.  Jesus usually served but in this situation, He asked the Samaritan Woman to serve Him. This was surprising to the woman as Jews did not converse with Samaritans, much less a woman. 

Jesus did not make the woman feel ashamed nor did He take away her challenges but He did turn them into opportunities.  He wasn’t afraid to go against the system of that day to speak with a Samaritan and a woman. He revealed to her that He was the Messiah and the living water that she was looking to find.

#1 Jesus crossed all barriers to share the Gospel. Likewise, we too are to cross all barriers to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus talked about living water but the woman didn’t get it.  She was thinking physically, not spiritually.  When Jesus addressed the issue of 5 husbands and now living with someone who was not her husband, she changed the subject, talking about worship.

#2 Jesus gently guided the conversation back to the subject.  This is an example for us when we share the Gospel.  Gently guide the conversation back to Jesus when a distraction comes.

#3 Salvation comes from Jesus the Messiah and no one else. We need to take advantage of the opportunity that God has blessed us with to share the good news that Jesus Christ offers salvation.

Let God take the challenges of 2024  and turn them into opportunities.