Samaria: Guest Blogger Dale Eby

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

 

If you have a red letter (Jesus’ statements) Bible, as you look at this verse in Acts you realize this is the last statement by Jesus to His disciples. What significance should this statement hold to the local church? These aren’t just parting words; these are marching orders to the disciples on how to carry out the commission of Christ in the world. I imagine they weighed heavy in the minds of the disciples so they should way heavy in our minds as we plan our own missions in ministry.

 

Jerusalem – the location of the original church plant. Each local church has a calling to meet the unique needs of its community.

 

Judea – the surrounding region of Jerusalem. A local church should view engaging their surrounding region as a desire of Christ.

 

The ends of the earth – speaks for itself. The local church should consider it a calling to have impact on the injustices of the world.

 

The local church should be diligent about focusing their missions programs on offering opportunities for involvement in each of these geographic designations. But, I hope you have noticed that I left an area out, Samaria.

 

Samaria – unclean, untouchable, despised, avoided, ignored

 

I can only imagine the gasps as the name of Samaria came out of Jesus’ mouth. But, throughout His ministry, you see the purposefulness in Jesus’ travels and parables involving Samaria and its people as a message to His followers. Get out of your comfort zone, touch the untouchable, heal the unclean, care for the despised; Be Christ!

 

Where is your Samaria? For many ministries, it is the inner city. Often these areas are separated, declining, and hopeless. Many Jesus-loving Christians will purposely avoid them on their way to shopping and dining. We are careful to make the right turns and to lock the doors at traffic lights. We even blame the situation on a lack of initiative from the sufferer.

 

I have know doubt that overcoming all of these biases is the exact reason Jesus so evidently mentions Samaria in His last statement. Where is your Samaria? Find an area, fund an inner city ministry, partner with a church in the area, but BE GOD’S WITNESS. Don’t just throw money at the problem, actually go get on the front lines of ministry in these areas. As you read Jesus’ parting words, I pray you realize you need Samaria more than Samaria needs you.

 

Regardless where you are you have your Samaria. Go be Christ’s witness!

 

 

 

 Dale Eby is the Associate Pastor of Church in the Farms, a suburban (some would even argue rural) church in Jupiter Farms, FLorida.  As Director of Student Ministries there he consistently brings his High School and Middle School youth groups to serve in missions with our inner city ministry Urban Youth Impact. He has become a good friend, bringing the perspective of understanding the need to walk out Christ in every aspect of  His life while inviting all those around him on the journey.  He resides here in Florida with his beautiful, amazing wife of 14 years and his two Godly,  daughters who all often serve on these missions trips with him.