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Read: John 4:5-42
Guess Who Passed this Way This story is about Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman who eventually changes her past life into a brand new life. How did this happen? Jesus has a way of showing up in unexpected places. This particular day, he met this woman at Jacob's well. She often came to draw water there when no one else was around. Treated as an outcast by Jews, and ignored by the women in her village, she avoided those who looked down on her. However, a stranger appeared at the well and asked her for a drink of water. She was surprised by his presence and was even more curious about because he knew every detail of her life. Our lives are left bare and wide open to God to whom we will have to give an account. Looking at him strangely, she did not hesitate to confess her dreadful past when Jesus said she would never be thirsty again. He clearly knew her need which was not physical but spiritual. God's timing is never a mistake. She wanted the water Jesus offered. She told Jesus that she knew about the Messiah, the Christ coming to her village. Isn't it ironic how she looked forward to Jesus' coming soon, and right then and there he appeared before her eyes. Jesus said "I am He!" She was very excited. She realized that although she was excluded by many, Jesus never excluded her. Jesus never excludes anyone. As they talked, the disciples who came back from getting food realized that Jesus was talking to this woman. They did not interrupt his conversation with her. Jesus wanted the Samaritan woman to worship him in spirit and in truth. So he knew by reaching out to her and giving her this spiritual water it would change her and encourage her to share her experience with others. She would become a living testimony. So she left Jesus and told others about a man who knew all about her and gave her a brand new life. The disciples were trying to encourage Jesus to eat the food they had brought back from the city; but he told them his food was to do the will of the one who sent him. He also told them that the "Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few!" There are so many people who need to know about salvation, and we as Jesus' followers must reach out to them. There are so many who want to say "somebody saved me and gave me a brand new life!" God has the power to use anyone if we will allow ourselves to become instruments of his love. Today somebody is suffering! Today somebody is hungry and thirsty. Our work is for today. Yesterday has gone and tomorrow has not come. We only have today to reach out to those who are lost. We see them on buses, trains, on our jobs, in our neighborhoods, hospitals, everywhere. Jesus gives us the opportunity to reach out to them, no matter who they are and no matter what their background is. It is up to us, wherever we go to share the good news about Jesus. Oh what a savior he is! Most gracious father, open our hearts, minds, eyes and ears to those who are crying out for a word from you. Help us to forget self and see those you have been placed on the path before us. Lead us and guide us to do your will because it is not about us, it’s all about you! Jesus the one who never changes, but changes everything! Amen. Marshallyn & Marilyn Whittington Comments are closed.
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Lent Devotions
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