Have a Little Drink~

Today let's look at a perfect example of what it means to come alongside someone, provided by the One and only JESUS! Whoop whoop!

John 4 tells the story of a Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well. Jesus was there and He asked her for a drink. Sounds so simple except that (A) Jews back then did not associate with Samaritans, (B) Men did not speak to women & (C) In asking her to get him a drink of water, it would have made Him unclean to drink from a woman's cup.

But that's not the kicker! The real story lies in the fact that this woman had been married five times and was currently living with another married man. Not good not good not good! She was a social outcast. Honestly, how many friends do you think a woman would have if her reputation were that of a prolific adulteress? And yet...Jesus did not scream, yell, or condemn her to hell. He invited her to drink water from a Well that never goes dry and quenches our deepest needs for forgiveness and peace.

Verses 13&14
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

What do you think happened after that? Was the woman depressed? Upset? NO!!!! That life-giving water welled up inside of her, and empowered by her new-found forgiveness she went straight to the town and shared with all the people how her life had just changed. Skip down to verse 39 and it says that, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony."

How does this story apply in 2013? It teaches us that we should cross cultural divides, be willing to speak to anyone and everyone, share with them without thinking we're better than they are because we aren't, and offer them our support and encouragement so they too are drawn to the Well. What can we expect as a result? Many will believe in Him because of the testimony of even one person who was treated with love and respect. As a footnote, let me just point out that Jesus was all about treating women with equal dignity and respect way before anyone else ever did. We serve a trailblazing Jesus! AMEN~

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Fill us today with that life-giving water. Thank You that we do not have to thirst for or long for joy, peace, and hope. It's ours already. We receive the "gushing fountains of endless life," that You offer us today. Help us bring those we love in closer for a little drink. In Jesus' name, AMEN~