You might not think much about going to the local biker bar for Jesus. If Jesus came back today, you probably would not go looking in a biker bar for him either. But He might be there. He just might be. What about you?In John 4, Jesus does not go to a biker bar, but where He did go was at least as controversial. The passage is literally a laundry list of “don'ts” for anyone, let alone the Messiah. The gospel points out that Jesus went through Samaria, talked to a Samaritan, talked to a woman, talked to divorced woman, asked to be served by such a woman, offered to serve such a woman, and offered the gospel to such a woman all in one fell swoop. Imagine your pastor serving in the local x-rated movie theater. That's the equivalent of what's going on here.
This example that Jesus demonstrates for us kind of shatters the common understanding of ministry today, doesn't it? Okay, so maybe you don't start out at the local biker bar or x-rated movie theater, but if we really want the lost to know Jesus, we all have to go somewhere. Jesus did say, “Go!”, and He showed us exactly what He meant.
In his book, “God Space”, Doug Pollock asks the question, “Who should make the first move?” He says, “If I go down to the bar and [invite them to church], how many bar hoppers do you think would be willing to leave their 'club' to join your 'club' on Sunday morning? What would compel someone to give up what he likes to do most on Sunday morning, borrow a suit and tie, sing songs to somebody he can't see, listen to someone speak at him for 30 – 45 minutes about someone who lived more than 2,000 years ago, and then pay for the experience with something called an offering? How many takers do you think I'd have?”
The point is, as believers in Jesus Christ and with the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is our job to make the first move. Start with a simple blessing (Gen. 12:1-3). Start with the folks God has put in your life. Ask a thought provoking question. Trust the Lord to work. Pray. Once you start getting the hang of this, then stretch yourself in faith. This is what Jesus really meant by “Go!”
