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“The most basic need a soul has is to experience unconditional love and acceptance.” -unknown

The Samaritan woman was on the fringes of society and she well knew it. A Jewish man would not typically even acknowledge her existence. And yet, the unthinkable happened for Jesus had an intentional encounter with her at a well. No wonder she was in disbelief.

“The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)”

‭‭John‬ ‭4:9

But what this woman experienced that day was true unconditional love. 

“Unconditional love is not based on the performance of the receiver, but on the character of the giver.”-Unknown

This unconditional love is promised to you and I as well.  It’s quite remarkable when you think about it.  We are mere specks of dust in the vast expanse of the cosmos and yet the God of the Universe extends unconditional love and acceptance to each of us. 

God is Holy and certainly this woman living in a lifestyle of sexual sins would not be worthy of His forgiveness and offer of eternal life... and yet He offered what only He could offer, living water.  He does the same for us. He loves us and meets us in the midst of our sinful entanglements to offer us hope and extend his mercy and grace.

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus‬ ‭3:3-7‬ ‭

He knew everything about the Samaritan woman and He knows everything about us. And yet,  He is patient with us and keeps tugging at our heart strings and convicting us of our need for Him because He wants to save each and every one of us.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭

He is the God of 2nd chances, and will keep picking us up and dusting us off for as long as our hearts allow Him to correct us and teach us. He promises us redemption from even the darkest, most desolate places if we will accept his love and mercy.

“who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,” Psalm‬ ‭103:4‬ ‭

He did not dismiss her because of her failures. He welcomed her because He knew that she would be grateful and yield her heart to Him.

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm‬ ‭103:10-14‬ ‭

And since we are talking about an encounter with Jesus at a well, I found this analogy fitting. 

Our prayer and God's mercy are like two buckets in a well; while the one ascends the other descends. -Mark Hopkins

Jesus is waiting to talk to you. He knows everything about you and yet He loves you. As you humble your heart and lift your prayers up to Heaven, He promises to extend to you from above, His abundant wisdom, mercy and grace.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭