Jesus Breaks ALL Barriers!

John 4 tells the story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus' ministry to her. I still have notes in the margin of my Bible that point out all the barriers that Jesus crossed in order to bring living water to this one thirsty soul. Let's look at the barriers that Jesus dared to cross.

The National Barrier- "Now he had to go through Samaria" John 4:4. Jews often would avoid traveling through Samaria. Samaritans were not thought of highly and were considered to be beneath them. Many can't cross the street let alone cross a border.

The Gender Barrier- "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman" John 4: 9. Women in Jesus' time were not thought of very highly either. Have we really come a long way? I recently went to a Human Trafficking Awareness event. Women, children and men are still being used and abused. They have become a commodity for labor, sex and military slavery. Today, regardless of gender, evil still exists against mankind.

The Ethnic Barrier- "For Jews do not associate with Samaritans" John 4:9. Is this barrier prevalent in our day? Before all that has been done to breakdown this barrier in our country, Jesus already was tearing down this wall.

The Sin Barrier- "The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband" John 4:18. Jesus did not consider this woman's sin worse than others but don't we tend to think the sin of others is somehow worse than our own? Considering the event I attended last week, it is easy to feel for the victim. Yet, is there grace and mercy for the pimp, the abuser, the one who is just as lost in sin but happens to be on the other side of the equation?

The Religious Barrier- "You Samaritans worship what you do not know, we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews" John 4:22. Those who are deceived by false religions are those whom Christ died for. His heart is for all who are lost. Whatever the "ism", Jesus is still the Way and the Truth.

Jesus is still crossing these barriers today. Perhaps some of these barriers were crossed to bring you to Him? Aren't you glad that He reached across to you and offered you living water?

Blessings,
Kathy Withers

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 26 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.