One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘Why do you eat and drink with such scum?’ (Luke 5:30 NLT). Such contempt – and from those who should have been the first to show love and compassion! Jesus loved people; look how He dealt with the woman at the well. First, He broke the rules. Jews didn’t mix with Gentiles, and they certainly didn’t associate with her kind. (She’d been divorced five times.) Jesus walked for miles to meet this woman. He went into her world to bring her into His. He mixed with her not to take advantage of her or become like her, but to reach, redeem, and restore her. That’s why He’s called ‘a friend of…sinners’ (Matthew 11:19 KJV). Could people say that about you? Second, He broke the ice. Jesus talked about what she was interested in – water. You must start where people are, not where you think they should be. You must use words they understand. And get over your fear of rejection. You may lose face if they say no, but think what they’ll lose if they never have a chance to say yes to the gospel. Third, He broke the news. He offered her living water instead of dead religion. How can you say you love someone and not share with them the greatest thing you ever found – salvation? Everybody you meet is hung up on the past, anxious about the future, or in need of a real friend. Once you find which door they’re behind, walk through it with love and sensitivity. They’re thirsty for ‘the living water’. Share it with them.
2 Kings 7-9, Acts 9:1-22
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