Living Water at the Well [part III]
(this post is rather late, since I needed a break from the internet… it was becoming too consuming)
We left off with Jesus and the Samaritan woman discussing that God’s worshippers must worship Him in Spirit and Truth….
The Samaritan woman’s interest is more than piqued – she is truly thirsty now for the living water.
“I know that the Messiah is coming,” she says,” when He comes He’ll explain all this to us.”
And in one of the few instances where Jesus directly confirms who He is, He answers,” I who speak to You am He.”
(cultural aside: let me remind you that not only was it culture breaking that Jesus (a Jewish man) would be talking to her (a Samaritan woman) – but that Jesus chose for one of His divine pronouncements of deity specifically this woman should remind us that the Christian faith elevated the worth, importance and dignity of women – and continues to do so in our day in places such as China, India and the Sudan.)
Her jaw must have dropped. I’m getting goose bumps and watery eyes at the thought of being in her shoes. Seeing the Messiah with your own eyes; audibly hearing His voice…
Given their conversation, knowing His patience and yet unwavering pronouncements of truth, experiencing this person’s graciousness. This is unlike any righteous or religious person she has met and then He affirms that He is the long awaited Messiah.
How that must have blown her mind, her preconceptions of God’s character. God’s ultimate representative did not bring her condemnation, but grace.
The disciples return to Jesus and the woman leaves for her hometown – leaving her water jar behind. She tells everyone she can that she thinks she has met the Messiah, the One who knows all the intimate, even sordid details, of her life. Many begin to believe.
The Samaritans invite Jesus to stay… and He does. Listening to His teaching they put their trust in Jesus, telling the woman it is no longer just based on her words – but now they have seen and heard from Him directly.
“And,” they say, “we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
What a great Savior He is!
He comes to the despised, the outcasts and offers grace piled on grace. He shows the tender, compassionate heart of God the Father to those who expected only judgment.
What a Savior!
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