God Notions

John 4

The Samaritan woman at the well is remembered for having many husbands and Jesus calling her out on it. She is never named or described, but she had to have had some use to others because five men had married her, and she currently was living with one.

She goes to the well in the heat of the day so she won’t have to see the other women, who, it is assumed, by all social standards, have their lives together. This woman is not naive.

In the past, I have knowingly or unknowingly allowed myself to be taken advantage of by others for whatever they thought they could gain. How can it be that some can take and not feel any need to reciprocate or appreciate? They take and take until they leave, and all that is left is a shell of who you are. Empty, thirsty, alone.

I can also relate to how the Samaritan woman wanted to change the subject when Christ pinpointed her sin. Who wants a light shone on their *transgressions?

(*Offense, crime, sin, wrong, wrongdoing, misdemeanor, impropriety, infraction, misdeed, law-breaking error, lapse, fault, infringement, breach, violation, defiance, disobedience)

Facing the part I have played in being used was difficult, and I have felt stupid and angry for being used. Then Jesus, who knows all that is hidden deep in the well of my heart, draws it out and places it before me in the noon daylight. He knows what I try to hide or justify, and he will have none of it.

I had to face the facts.

I had listened to others. I had followed my own heart’s desire. I listened to everyone except the One who loves me more, Jesus. I didn’t give time for His answer, or maybe I didn’t like the answer; I don’t know how, or why it is, that I stopped listening to Him precisely or why I allowed myself to walk off the better path, but I did.

Then Jesus waits patiently for me. He doesn’t condemn me, but he does show me my sin. He shows me my sin to bring us up out of the emptiness of our lives and fill our souls with a refreshing, soul-quenching, everlasting, abundant life.

Isn’t it just like God that when we are used up, empty, and hopeless, Christ restores new life and hope?

The Samaritan woman came to the well that day, hiding from others and herself. Christ showed her compassion with the purpose of redemption. Jesus redeems us not only to be of value in our community but also for His glory and His Kingdom.

What a kind, compassionate, gentle God we serve.