Jesus Is Calling You to Your Own “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the Ends of the Earth”
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Distance does not determine value. God values the end of the earth as much as Jerusalem. We need to remember that whether this be through physically going, praying, giving to send others, or even online ministry, we are all called to reach the world for Jesus.
In a smaller sense, we can use this model to think about our everyday life. No, most of us are not going to be able to be traveling missionaries every week. However, we are all called to the mission of Acts 1:8, wherever the Lord has placed us.
Jerusalem would be symbolic of your main ministry, the home. Who is in your family? Then from there it might be your neighborhood or place of work (Judea). You could think of “Samaria” as the other side of town.
In doing this exercise, it is important to remember we are called to reach others from our hometowns to globally. However, it is helpful to think about on a smaller scale, the value of impact within a home into the community. The concept is the same. We are called to share Jesus from the inside out. We seek Him in who He has intentionally placed around us, and trust Him in stepping out of our comfort zones to reach those who are different culturally. Jesus’ emphasis was that all people are welcome into His family.
It is worthwhile to point out that Samaria is where the Samaritans lived. Jesus Himself ministered in Jerusalem and Judea, and then purposefully went the long way on one journey to go to a specific well and meet the Samaritan woman. He told her that He was her Living Water, her salvation (John 4). Jesus modeled that not only is He for those who are similar to us, but He came for people of every nation and background.
The disciples would have easily avoided Samaria because of racial and cultural tensions. However, Jesus taught them to love and press in to the unknowns. Who are we trying to avoid sharing Jesus with today? Who do we feel is unworthy of hearing this good news? We need to ask God to purify our hearts and help us to share His message of hope even with those we do not like or agree with in this world.
Whatever your Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are, remember that you are called to go. You are chosen by Jesus Himself to share His message of the gospel where you are and to the ends of the earth. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to witness many coming to Christ because He is working in this world through our obedience to His calling.
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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Bayram Gürzoğlu
