John 4:(1-6) 7-15 (29-30)
A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” . . . .The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” ……….. Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh living water.” …...Anyone who drinks the water I will give will never thirst- not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”. . . .
Back in the village she told the people, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” John 4:(1-6) 7-15 (29-30) (MSG)
If you have ever experienced being with someone who let you know they knew you inside and out, no questions asked, no judgment given, only acceptance, then you know what the woman at the well was experiencing. It is indeed “living water.” It is “new life” because you no longer have to hold onto others’ perceptions of yourself which hold you back.
When this happens for a while you might be speechless, not even realizing what has just happened. You might be left to wonder whether this experience was a “God-thing” and whether it might move you along in your journey of faith. And if you had the courage to share this experience with someone else, what happened next?
There are so many life experiences that seem to bind us to false ways of thinking about ourselves and our place in the world. And sadly there are too few experiences that deny these experiences and therefore allow them to become a part of our life perspective. But there is always one place we can go to for the assurance that we are known through and through, accepted, forgiven and freed to be fully alive: to the Good News we know in Jesus, the messiah. This is the most freeing gift we have received from God and is ours always. What a comfort this is and what peace is ours.
Questions for Reflection:
- When and from whom have you experienced this kind of acceptance, freedom?
- When you are feeling alone and unaccepted, do you go to God in prayer to claim that acceptance?
Prayer:
Gracious and Merciful God, thank you for loving me, for accepting me, for forgiving me, for never letting me go far from you. I claim your grace today and forever. I don’t know how I could live without it. May I be able to share this same grace with others. In Jesus’ name
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