Are you as perplexed as the Samaritan woman that Jesus would want a relationship with you? In case you didn’t know, that’s what he wants. It was no accident Jesus went through Samaria that day and was waiting at that well at just the right moment. This woman had a divine appointment with Jesus. We, too, can experience Jesus when least expected.
This woman didn’t have a clue who she was talking to. Even after Jesus said, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” How often are we clueless as we walk through life? How many times has Jesus tried to confront us and we weren’t ready to hear?
Jesus knew everything about this woman, and that amazed her. She didn’t feel ashamed for long. Because Jesus revealed himself to her, her faith skyrocketed. Did you find it strange that Jesus chose her to reveal such truth?
Jesus used the “I AM,” the divine name of God, to introduce himself as Messiah to this woman. He affirmed that he was God by speaking those words, breaking all social, gender, and racial barriers. Jesus didn’t let the fact that she was a Samaritan stop him from having what ends up being the longest conversation in the gospels.
Jesus knows us just as well as he knew this unnamed woman. He knows our comings and goings, our hearts, and our dreams. We can’t hide from Jesus, and we shouldn’t want to. Those who hide do so because they have something to fear. You might think of Adam and Eve in the garden, hiding from God after they had sinned. Of course, God knew what they had done, but he still asked them, “Why?”
In Psalm 139, the psalmist speaks to this mystery of what God knows. The first six verses say, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”
How marvelous our God knows us so intimately! We can be ourselves and not pretend with God. Despite our faults and failures, he loves us. Jesus showed love to this Samaritan woman despite the fact she had lived a questionable life. He didn’t condemn her but gave her the great honor of knowing his true identity.
Jesus wants to reveal himself to you. Are you ready to receive his message and drink his holy, living water?
Let’s pray. Lord, pour out your living water upon me. I want to never thirst again but drink of your love and mercy forever. Forgive me for all the wrong turns that I have made in my life. May my course be straight now, right into your loving arms. I am so grateful that you want a relationship with me and love me no matter what I have done in the past. Help me to live a life that pleases you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
