Read Today's Passage
Notice in verse two how even 2,000 years ago information was still not properly given? I wonder if the Pharisees were misinformed intentionally or not?
I love this passage where Jesus interacts with the Samaritan woman. In fact, I have preached on it twice in the past couple of years. Every time I read through it I get to see the God of the universe ignoring racial lines (the Jews and the Samaritans hated each other, even though they were very similar), class systems, and even breaking the rule of genders (men and women would not freely converse in public) to minister to a broken heart. This woman has no secrets from Jesus and He pulls no punches (again) with her. But He shows her compassion and love, and invites her to His side. And she accepts! He does not berate her for being an adulteress. He does not focus so intently on her sins that she is loaded up to her neck with guilt. He does not tell her that if she does not accept Him tonight she will go to hell. He has a conversation with her. And He shows her genuine love. I think that we need to spend more time emulating Jesus' evangelism style than we do creating our own. It worked for this woman (and most of her village).
And then Jesus returns home (remember in Luke how the town wanted to kill Him after He read Scripture?) to Galilee and heals a man's son. But what really catches me in this passage is what Jesus says in verse 48: "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe." Why can't we believe and trust Him without needing a miraculous sign, without wanting proof? Why can't we just trust and have real faith?
What do you think?
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1 comment:
The Samaritan woman at the well with Jesus in my opinion has baggage on her back... not literally, but she is looking for some sort of direction. What Samaritan woman goes to the well in the middle of the day when the sun is blistering hot in the desert and when there is going to be little water in the well?
Jesus knew everything about her and how she was searching for someone who loved her. He loves everyone no matter what has happened in their past and with the acceptance of Him dying on the cross for your sins He will give you more caring love than anybody could ever give you.
Not only accepting what He has done for you, but to accept what has happened in your past and start out fresh with the journey ahead. The commitment is probably the hardest part... it's a big decision to make... it has changed my life forever.
It's a real stretch to commit yourself... to believe... to have faith... it's scary sometimes. The royal official ran to Jesus when he found out he was in town... his son was dying. Isn't so true we have more faith when someone we care for is on their death bed? Stretch a little bit in your faith the love of Jesus will fill your heart and pour out to your fellow brothers and sisters around you.
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