In the Heat of the Day

As I was preparing for Sunday's message, I had looked at the Gospel lesson which was about the woman at the well. For those that are not familiar with it, it is taken from John chapter 4. No one went to the well to get water in the heat of the day... only one who was outcast and despised by many in the village. Jesus arrived at the well at this time and sees a Samaritan woman pulling up water from the well. Jesus’ disciples had gone to town to get food. No respectable Jew, by himself, would have talked with any woman, let alone this outcast. On top of that, she was a Samaritan women and Jews pretty much despised all Samaritans. However, Jesus started a conversation by asking for a drink. As this woman was questioning Jesus’ motives, He responded by saying that if she knew who He was, she would ask Him for living water (either the Holy Spirit or God’s Word) and she would thirst no more. Not understanding this water wasn’t from the well, she asked for some so she would not have to continue to go to the well to fetch water. Jesus asks her to bring her husband. She states that she has none. He confirms that and then tells her she has had 5 husbands and the one she is with now is not her husband. She recognizes His spiritual gift to see her life. Then Jesus confirms that He is the Messiah, the promised Savior. She, the one that has been outcast, goes to tell the town who Jesus is saying, “He told me everything I have ever done.” Can you imagine that you would rejoice that Jesus can see all your sin and shame? She wasn’t focusing on what she had done, but who Jesus was. Maybe she hadn’t thought about her sin, or she was thankful that Jesus still cared for her in spite of her sin. She was celebrating the fact that Jesus might very well be the Christ, the waited Savior. Jesus spoke of salvation (being restored) and worship. I think she hungered for that renewal. Jesus states, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Maybe you know of someone like the woman at the well. Maybe you are in her shoes. Maybe you will bump into someone longing for redemption. Will we look at their outward appearance and life mistakes and stay clear of her, or will we offer her to promises and hope of God? Father, like the woman at the well, we have been guilty of things we are not proud of. Remind us of our new life in You. Amen