The Ripple Effect

The ripple effect refers to the idea that a single action or event can have a widespread and far-reaching impact beyond its initial occurrence.

The metaphor is based on the way that throwing a stone into a body of water creates a series of concentric circles that expand outward from the point of impact, influencing the surrounding water and anything in its path. Take a look....

Ripple effect video Repeating Video or a still picture will due. Leave this slide until I go to the Scripture.

In human terms, the ripple effect can be seen in situations where an individual's behavior or choices have a profound impact on others, who in turn affect others and so on.

This can result in a cascade of consequences that reverberate through families, communities, and even entire societies.

For example, a simple act of kindness shown by one person like stopping to help change a tire, buying the food for the car behind you in the drive through or even something as simple as paying someone a compliment can inspire others to pay it forward, leading to a chain reaction of positive outcomes....

The ripple effect can also be negative, such as being when one person's harmful actions, decisions, or critical attitudes have negative consequences that impact others in a harmful way.

In any case, the ripple effect illustrates the interconnectedness of people and the potential impact that even small actions can have on the world around us.

Jesus Conversation with the Women at the well is a wonderful example of a positive ripple effect.

Summarizing John 4:1-38 Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well, he offers her living water, reveals that he knows about her past, explains the nature of true worship, and reveals that he is the Messiah.

In this improbable conversation we see the woman become a true believer in Jesus....becuase Jesus was willing to have this conversation He was able to reveal not only who he was by telling her she had been married several times and was now with someone not her husband but showed how much he loved her by not shunning her.

This one conversation completely changes her life. If this is where the story ended that would be incredible but it get’s even better.

After this conversion we see the women is so excited she runs into town and tells everyone she comes into contact what has happened to her. She shared what she said, and what Jesus said…

John 4:39-42

“39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.

41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.””

Jesus' alteration of societal norms at Jacobs Well transformed the lives of not only the women but her entire community.

It is hard to understand the scandalous nature of this conversation…

First Jesus was alone with a Women of questionable reputation there was a reason she was alone at the well…most of the time this was not just an important task to be done but it was a time of social interaction. Being alone meant either no one wanted to connect with her or she was trying to avoid awkward conversations with the other women....or both.

Secondly she was a Samaritan…by Jewish standards Samaritans were unclean…or in other words Jews discriminated against Samaritans and Samaritans discriminated against Jews.

Jesus was truly acting in an egregiously Taboo activity by talking to this Samaritan women.

The women going to the community was also boundary breaking…This women becuase of her past and her current living situation would have been compelled out of shame and community standards to keep to herself.

Yet…Jesus so inspired and transformed her that she became so forward and full of joy that even though people were supposed to ignore or shun her they were drawn to her words about Jesus.

The Women never took one class on evangelism, she simply told the people what Jesus said and how what He said made her feel.

Sometimes there are things people we would dismiss can awaken in our Spirit…God uses all kinds of people to start a movement.

People who value others over Legalism create a path to redemption for themselves and the world.

A friend of mine posted this quote from a confrence he was in that when like this....We have to change the language we use to talk about evangelism from: battle metaphors and conquest, to hospitality, friendship, neighboring, and discipleship. #Exponential2023

This means in order to create a positive Jesus ripple affect we must:

Prioritize Empathy and Compassion in your interactions with others.

Instead of focusing solely on following rules and regulations, make a conscious effort to understand and connect with people on a deeper level, showing kindness and consideration towards them.

This can help build stronger relationships, promote mutual understanding, and foster trust in the Church and in the idea of Gods goodness toward humanity.

What person or group of people do you Need to show empathy and compassion to that right now if you are honest you treat with fear, or contempt?

When we Prioritize People over Legalism we provide a Path to lasting Transformation and Redemption.

Communion is a reminder of Jesus empathy and compassion that provided a way of transformation and redemption to the entire world.

As we prepare to come to the Table let us reflect on the importance of prioritizing people over legalism and the transformative power of empathy and compassion, we are reminded of Jesus' ultimate act of love and compassion on the cross.

Time of Silence...

Invite people to the Table.