Passage of the Day:
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a]) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water,” John 4:1-10.
Reflection:
Every culture has a group of individuals which everyone else looks down upon. In the first century, Samaritans were considered half-Jewish. Subsequently, the strict religious practices of Judaism discouraged direct interactions with Samaritans. While the disciples went around Samaria, Jesus went straight through town looking for someone to minister to. Hanging at near a local well is a strategic place if you want to talk with one of the locals. This is the setting of Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman who has indulged in casual relationships with several men. Pursuing a heart like God’s means going places that no one else likes to or wants to go.
Prayerful Action:
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,” Matthew 9:11-13.
Retracing Your Steps:
I have a heart for inner cities. When I was in college, I chose spending my final spring break in Philadelphia over a warm tropical vacation destination. When you walk off the beaten path of historic cities, poverty is all around you. Unfortunately, more and more churches are investing their mission funds into third world nations as American cities are becoming close to if not worse than these foreign countries. More than any time in our history, America needs Christians who pursue a heart like God so that the needy and poor also hear the good news about Jesus Christ.
Song of the Day:
The video of Heart of God shows Zach Williams checking into a hotel. With each step Zach takes, there are subtle interaction which people with the heart of God will take advantage of when given the opportunity. May the lyrics of this song inspire you to pursue a heart of God.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 