DAY 19 – Worship: Confronting Barriers | Firm Foundation Devotional | Guest Writer: Min. Shawn R. Carter
by Min. Shawn Renee Carter
Read John 4:4-26 (NIV)
John 4:21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
Barriers defined: Something such as an obstacle that prevents or blocks access.
Our Scripture text (John 4:4-24), tells the story of Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman. His goal was to reveal Himself and to teach real worship so that all would know and have access to God. To accomplish this, Jesus broke Jewish religious norms as well as social and cultural traditions. He traveled to an unclean place, talked to an unclean woman, and placed Himself in an inappropriate social situation at the wrong time of day.
Just as Jesus extended himself to the woman at the well, He continues to extend Himself and His love to us. Not only did He shed His blood for us, but He continually intercedes to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:26). Our appropriate response to God for His acts of love is worship.
The Samaritan had her own set of issues to break through before she arrived at the well. She traveled during the hottest part of the day to make sure she did not encounter anyone. Might she have been experiencing pain, grief, shame, fear, or guilt? Whatever her situation, Jesus was there. He was waiting for her. He offered the Samaritan woman the truth about herself, which intrigued her. She questioned Him about the correct place to worship. Jesus explained that true, spiritual worship was God's desire. She became convinced that Jesus was a prophet, but He was much more. Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah. After hearing this, she left her water pot and ran into town to tell everyone about Jesus and invited them to meet Him (John 4:28-30).
After overcoming religious and cultural barriers in her life, the Samaritan woman had an encounter with Jesus, learned to worship Him, and she walked away with a testimony.
We know and believe what Jesus said in John 4:24, God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
Reflection Questions:
John 4:21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
Barriers defined: Something such as an obstacle that prevents or blocks access.
Our Scripture text (John 4:4-24), tells the story of Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman. His goal was to reveal Himself and to teach real worship so that all would know and have access to God. To accomplish this, Jesus broke Jewish religious norms as well as social and cultural traditions. He traveled to an unclean place, talked to an unclean woman, and placed Himself in an inappropriate social situation at the wrong time of day.
Just as Jesus extended himself to the woman at the well, He continues to extend Himself and His love to us. Not only did He shed His blood for us, but He continually intercedes to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:26). Our appropriate response to God for His acts of love is worship.
The Samaritan had her own set of issues to break through before she arrived at the well. She traveled during the hottest part of the day to make sure she did not encounter anyone. Might she have been experiencing pain, grief, shame, fear, or guilt? Whatever her situation, Jesus was there. He was waiting for her. He offered the Samaritan woman the truth about herself, which intrigued her. She questioned Him about the correct place to worship. Jesus explained that true, spiritual worship was God's desire. She became convinced that Jesus was a prophet, but He was much more. Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah. After hearing this, she left her water pot and ran into town to tell everyone about Jesus and invited them to meet Him (John 4:28-30).
After overcoming religious and cultural barriers in her life, the Samaritan woman had an encounter with Jesus, learned to worship Him, and she walked away with a testimony.
We know and believe what Jesus said in John 4:24, God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you worship in the Spirit?
2. Are you experiencing any barriers that block you from encountering God? If yes, what are they and what will you do to break through?
3. Share your testimony with someone today.
2. Are you experiencing any barriers that block you from encountering God? If yes, what are they and what will you do to break through?
3. Share your testimony with someone today.
Action Items based on understanding:
Min. Shawn R. Carter is the worship leader at New Covenant Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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