Spiritual Conversations

John chapter four gives the account of Jesus at Jacob’s well. As a Samaritan woman comes up and Jesus ask for a drink, I could not imagine what that Samaritan woman was thinking. We know that she believed it unusual because she replied “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”” For Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” (John 4:9). Jesus certainly taught us in this lesson that it is so important that we take the Gospel to every person (Mark16:15). A concept that is reinforced all through God’s word. Jesus in a time where there were many classes and status of people, took time and spoke to this woman, whom the Jews normally would not have spoken with.

If we as the church do not take time to spread the message of the Gospel, who will? We all have the obligation to God to spread the message of the Gospel. How can we do it? One of my favorite passages of scripture comes from Acts chapters four and five, where we have the account of the man who was laid at the gate called “beautiful”. This man anticipated that he would receive some type of monetary gift from Peter and John as they passed by. But Peter used this opportunity to heal this man. We know from the story that he was so excited that he jumped, leaped and praised God (Acts 3:8). But as many gathered around to see this man walking, Peter used this opportunity to teach others the Gospel. As time marches on the Sadducees quickly arrest Peter and John taking them into prison. Even they could not deny that this was a “notable miracle” (Acts 4:16). When they question Peter and John regarding their teaching of Jesus, and demand that they stop teaching the gospel, all that Peter and John can say is “we can not but speak those things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20)

Peter and John were excited about the teaching of the Gospel, and it showed in their lives. It showed in their commitment to teaching others, that even though they were beaten, and thrown in jail, they still understood that people needed to hear God’s word. For our young people, the world will judge how important the Gospel and the church is to you by how important it seems to you. Just as Paul stated in writing the to Philippian church that “whatsoever things were gain to me I counted them loss for Christ” (Phil 3:7). It seems so easy to talk about football, baseball, basketball, cars, fishing, you name it. It should be equally as easy for the Christian to talk about the Gospel to others, because it means so much to each of us. Young people, don’t overlook opportunities to invite others to be a part of Bible study, worship, devotionals, and other activities. You have friends, who just like the Samaritan woman need to hear the gospel.

Ande Z