2009-02-09 - Hiding from God

John 4:5-26, 28-30, 39-42

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (John 4:10 NIV)

It was not protocol for a Jewish man to talk with a Samaritan woman. She must have been surprised when Jesus asked her for a drink of water from the well. He had nothing to carry it in. Come to think of it, the woman never gave Him any water, in all the excitement and commotion. Nor did she even fill her own water pot, but this woman received something much more at that precious well. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God had a wonderful gift for her. The living water the man spoke of would alleviate a person's thirst forever. It sounded too good to be true. At first, the Samaritan woman thought this man may be deranged. Did He think He was better than Jacob, who gave her people the well and used it himself?

Then, this man told her she had five husbands, information about her past that a stranger would not know. He must be a prophet, she reasoned. Then Jesus uttered words that changed this woman's life. He said He was the Messiah, and all the wonderful things He had for her. She had to tell others about this Jesus, the Messiah, they had to see Him for themselves. Before, she would never have dared go into the village. After being in the presence of this holy man, somehow people's perceptions of her weren't as important. She ran to tell the others about her conversation with Jesus.

People in the village came to the well to meet Jesus and many believed. When Jesus met the woman, He was weary and asked for a drink of water, and instead of satisfying His thirst, He satisfied hers. He wasn't afraid to put her spiritual needs before His own human needs.

Lord, I confess today that I will believe the right things about You. I choose not to limit You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Lisa

lisa@cfdevotionals.org

http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://postapraise.com

The author welcomes comments or questions on this devotional article.