Read John 4:5-42
Devotional
There is so much to explore and ponder in this passage – for example:
a) why Jesus went to Samaria (he could have avoided it).
b) why Jesus as a Jewish man chose to speak to a despised Samaritan woman sinner.
c) why Jesus spent so much time in Sychar (I’ll bet his disciples weren’t keen to have a 2 day stopover in Samaritan territory).
But let’s focus on 4 aspects of this unnamed woman’s encounter with Jesus:
1. She was willing to keep asking questions (e.g. v.11-12)
The woman risks being rejected or ridiculed for asking ‘dumb’ questions – but she keeps on asking because she wants to know. And Jesus doesn’t reject her.
2. She was honest before Jesus (v.16-18)
We can hide our past from others but not from God. But God will not reject us because of our past – or our present. Our past failures need not be final – God sees potential in us.
3. She told others about Jesus (v.28-30)
The woman who had come to the well in the hot midday sun to avoid others ends up everyone in her town about Jesus. She is so excited that she can’t help talking about Jesus.
4. She directed others to faith in Jesus (v.39-42)
The woman who had experienced so much rejection brings many people to faith in God. She introduces the townspeople to Jesus – and they are thankful for her role.
We have a God who sees potential in us. Our God doesn’t wait for us to be good enough, or wise enough, or to have the right title or status to want us to share the good news of salvation. Yes, our God wants us to grow in faith and knowledge – but God wants to use us now to be messengers of acceptance, of love, of grace to the people we meet.
Prayer
God, we thank you that you always see the best in us – the people we can be with your help. Help us to be willing to admit to you who we really are so that you can work in our lives. Amen.
Rev Pam Reed, Registrar