Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges

John 4:1-4, 42

Odds are that most of us have harbored some type of biases towards others. Truth can be just like ants in our sleeping bags – an unwanted reality that we refuse to face. The problem is that nothing ever changes if we don’t face the truth. Stereotypes and prejudice build barriers not bridges. These were major problems in Jesus’ day.

The prejudices of Jesus day - let me tell you about the Samaritans.

Samaritans were a mixed blood race that was part Jew and part Gentile.

Samaritans also practiced a blended form of the Jewish religion.

The Jews had such animosity for the Samaritans that they refused to even walk through Samaria.

You Must Go Outside Your Comfort Zone.

Jesus left the glory of heaven in order to break the barriers of sin and build a bridge to God.

"The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee." (John 4:1-3).

Jesus was God’s bridge to lost humanity. He came to this world to seek out lost people and point them to God.

Jesus said, "The world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me" (Jn. 14:31).

To whom could you begin to show the unconditional love of Jesus Christ? How could you show that love to them in a practical, meaningful way?

You Must Go Beyond Your Social Circle.

It was bad enough going through Samaria, Jesus actually interacted with the Samaritans on his way through.

"So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar … Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus … sat down by the well … When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" The Samaritan woman said to him … "How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)" (John 4:5-9).

Jesus is hanging out at a well all alone with an adulterous Samaritan woman. These were three very good reasons (from the perspective of the Jews) why Jesus shouldn’t even acknowledge her existence.

It is long past time that we in the church starting breaking down the barriers that divide us and start building bridges to a lost world by showing them the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

You Might Have To Go It Alone.

Jesus’ disciples were quite prejudiced themselves.

"His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch … 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it." (John 4:8, 27 The Message)

If following Jesus example of breaking barriers and building bridges means that no one will go with you, are you prepared to go it alone? Jesus was.

"Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony" (John 4:39).

Jesus was able to reach the people of that town because he was willing to go outside his comfort zone, beyond his social circle, and go it alone. He never could have reached that town otherwise. If you have harbored prejudices against other people, let me encourage you that people can change. During his earthly ministry Jesus broke down barriers of prejudice and built bridges of grace.