Walking with JESUS
Week 22
Readings: John 4:1-45, Philippians 2-4
LIVING WATER
Jesus said: “Whoever drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again. The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Shalom. My name is Photini (not my real name) and I am a Samaritan woman. I, like the other women in my village, go to Jacob’s well daily to retrieve water. The others go in the morning, when it’s cool, but not me - I go at noon when no one is there. I go at noon so I don’t have to deal with the judgmental stares, the rude snickers, and the crude comments of the other women. You see I am an outcast. I have had 5 husbands and the man I currently live with I am not married to. I know it’s wrong, but what can I do? I have no way to support myself and no man will marry me so live as a “sinner” and outcast. I wish I could be with the other women – it gets so lonely, but…
The other day when I went to the well a man asked me for a drink. I was surprised he spoke to me, not only was he a man but he was a Jew and everyone knows Jews and Samaritans don’t get along. I was more surprised by his demeanor. His face, his words, and his tone were not cruel and biting, but kind and compassionate. And, even when he told me about my living situation (how he knew that I didn’t know) he was not judgmental or condemning, just caring. He spoke of living water and Spiritual worship that I didn’t understand. Then, then he said He was the Messiah, the promised one, and oh how my heart was filled with such hope. I was so excited I ran back to my family and told everyone. They came, first because I told them what he said to me, but after they talked to Him, well, we all believed. We knew deep in our hearts, this Jewish man, so filled with love, compassion, and kindness, was the promised Messiah, sent to redeem, forgive, and save us all. As for me, His love compelled me to want to live differently – not in my sinful ways but in a way that pleased Him and I am bound and determined to find a way to do just that. Maybe, He can help – oh I hope so, I must believe He can…
I, like the Samarian women, am a “sinner,” an outcast, an enemy of God because of my sinful nature and my sinful actions. But Jesus comes to me daily in His Word, like He did the Samaritan woman, not with condemnation or judgment, but with kindness, compassion, and love, offering the living water of redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of salvation secured for me by His death and resurrection. And, like the Samaritan woman, it is His unconditional love, acceptance, and Grace that compels me to want to put my sinful ways aside and live a life that pleases him. I believe I can do this, not on my power, but with HIS power. What about you – what do you believe?
Prayer: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed… continue to work out (of) your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 2:12-13, & 4:13
