The woman said, “I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.”
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did.”
John 4:25-26, 28
Ever played dodge ball? This story is a classic case of verbal dodge ball. The woman from Samaria had come to the well, during the heat of the day, at a time when she was absolutely certain she’d not have to communicate with anyone. Imagine her annoyance to see someone waiting…a man, no less, and a Jew. He started the conversation. From that moment on, she tried dodging every attempt of Jesus to bring her to a place where she would admit her need, open her heart, and receive the gift of God that was standing right in front of her. Poor gal had put up every defensive wall she could muster, and Jesus patiently chipped away at each brick. It was understandable, though. She’d been tossed around (just like that dodge ball) from husband to husband until every ounce of confidence was depleted. She’d finally given up, and simply moved in with a man, hoping against some great odds, that he might be the answer to her need for satisfaction. At the same time, she was sick of the sideways stares, the mocking glances, and the cruel whispers of the other women. Her discontent had led her on a downward spiral to discouragement, to depression, to desolation, and ultimately would lead her to desperation, if not death. She was rapidly approaching that place, when Jesus HAD TO GO THROUGH SAMARIA.
I love this about Jesus. No matter how despicable others might think we are, he’s willing to go out of his way to find us when we’re needy. Face it; most people go out of their way to avoid neediness. Not Jesus. He created a divine appointment with a thirsty woman at a well in a place no righteous Jew of his day would dare set his sandaled shoe. No matter how troubled we are, he has an answer. No matter how much shame we carry on our shoulders, he wants to remove it. So, Jesus went to Samaria.
Finally, she broke. “Go call your husband,” Jesus requested. “I have no husband,” she replied. Atta girl, honesty, at last! Jesus applauded her vulnerability, and spit out the rest of the facts, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.” With that much admission the walls came up again, and in a desperate attempt to dodge the subject of her thirsty heart, yet again, she digressed to a topic of religious controversy. Ha! The master turned it right in her face, and brought her to a place where he could look her in the eye, and grant her amazing heart healing, that would fill her right up: “You are right, the Messiah is coming, and in fact, I, who speak to you, am he.” Yep – here I am, God’s gift. Look to me, I am the only man who can satisfy your discontented soul. Need a boost upwards out of the sinking mire of your own sinful state? I’m about to go to that place of death, the same place you’re headed towards, so you don’t have to…watch me take all this for you!
I find great delight in knowing that the first time Jesus opened his mouth to declare his true identity, it was to a woman: a shame-filled, sinful, desperate, unsatisfied woman! Now, then, do you see yourself in this story? Let me ask you a couple questions, I’ve asked myself. Are you satisfied? Are you content with your life’s circumstances? Have you found that place where you are soul-full? Are you looking to anything else to bring you joy? Anything else to give you peace? Anything else to bring you contentment? Only the living water can fill every crevice, every nook and cranny of your heart! Only the GIFT OF GOD, Jesus, can be for you what you might be looking to others to be, or do. So, how do we apply this truth? The Apostle Paul said it well in Philippians 4, “In every circumstance, I have learned the secret of being content.” 1) Contentment is a learned behavior. Contrary to what we believe, it is not just an emotion I can’t do anything about. 2) It is found in a secret: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! It boils down to seeking, knowing, trusting, and submitting to Jesus. Sound too simplistic? Certainly! But appropriating it is another whole deal…