If you were to write a biography of your life at this time, what would you title it? Looking back can you see a transformation taking place in your life? Have you come a long way from where you once were? Do you still have a ways to go? Just imagine if someone was willing to write a book about the woman at the well. A Samaritan woman of all women, and an immoral woman to boot. How many copies do you think the author would sell?
I feel for her, (she's not even given a name) as she trudges out to the well in the middle of the day all alone, for the women usually all went together first thing in the morning before the sun got too high and too hot. This was their social time of the day; a time to catch up on all the latest gossip. (I wonder how many times our nameless woman at the well was part of their daily conversation.)
She comes out in the heat of midday so sure she'll be alone. This way she won't have to endure any cutting remarks or hateful looks her way. But hold on, there's a man sitting there...
“Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7) Jesus spoke to her even though:
- Jews weren't supposed to speak to Samaritans.
- Men weren't
permitted to address women without their husbands present.
- Rabbis should never be caught speaking to shady ladies such as this one.
No wonder the woman replied, "You are a Jew and I
am a Samaritan woman," she reminded him. "How can you ask me for a
drink?" (John 4:9). Was there ever a time when you wondered if you were good enough? Did you ever feel like you were on the outside of the "in" crowd?
I'm sure most of us have at some point; wondering if we'd be considered good enough, or even doubting that we'd ever be good enough.
One of my favorite pastors once said, and I believe he's right, that "we're all just one decision away from stupid." - Johnny Hunt. In the woman at the well's case one stupid decision, led to another, and then another, until I'm sure she felt she could never recover. She was destined for the life she was now living and there was nothing she could do to change that fact. Have you ever felt that way?
"...But with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26 I believe this to be the most obvious legacy this woman leaves us, but there are others:
1. Jesus’ loves everyone. The
fact that the woman at the well was of such low standing — gender, race, and
marital status — yet Jesus speaks to her almost as an equal "conversational" partners demonstrates this. There is no one too far out of Jesus' reach. No one too far gone.
2. Only Jesus can offer
salvation. Jesus offers her living water — eternal life.
3. Jesus was rejected by His own people, yet she believes Him. I was reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 11:25, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose]."
4. She offers us all hope! Her story is an incredible example of love, truth, redemption, and acceptance, and conveys to all of us that your past is past and doesn't matter to Jesus; He still loves you and will still use you in His kingdom work. Just look how she was able to bring the whole town out to meet their Messiah.
Blessings,
sue
