John 4

The story of mission

God is the lead role in the story of mission - the tale of how God saved the world from it's sin and darkness.

You and I are part of that storyline, and have important parts to play.

God's mission is real

Most stories are a work of imagination - even those based on real events are somewhat adjusted. But God's mission story is real.

This passage is set in a real place, with real people with real problems.

Jesus was tired and thirsty. Sometimes we feel the same about our discipleship journey - we are too tired for mission. Yet when new characters appear, the tale moves back to mission.

We see Jesus addressing real issues in this tale by crossing cultural and social boundaries with His message. He wanted the woman to know 2 things: the gift He gives and Himself personally. Do we want those we speak to to know the same?

God's mission is relevant

The second "act" is a discussion between Jesus and the woman where she wants to know the truth behind Jesus' claims. He brings something relevant to her - water. Of course Jesus wasn't talking about real water, but He used it as a tool to show the woman how what He really offers is relevant.

Jesus'saw the woman's true identity. Yet He didn't see her as the wrongdoer and sinner. He saw her as the same as He sees us - those who need Him and His saving power. That salvation was relevant to the woman, and is relevant to us too.

God's mission is relational

What Jesus was doing here was building a relationship with that woman. The disciples didn't want to know her - they wanted to move on quickly.

Jesus wants everyone to know Him as their personal saviour. We should want to build relationships with people so they get to know the saviour we know and love, and have the same relationship with Him.

We are called to be real, relevant, and relational just like Jesus. Not for our own gain but to move along the plot of the story of mission, adding more characters to God's cast.

God's mission brings rejoicing

The woman, and many of the townspeople rejoiced because they believed.

We rejoice when God gets glory and praise because people when know get saved. Not because of what we have done but because of what God has done.