Welcome to the Well
Scripture taken from John 4:1-26. You can also see this Scripture on Youtube. You can view the podcast.
One thing I like about the way Pastor John gives a sermon is the historical background he gives us. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is known to many of us but he also told us the following tidbits of information:
- The Samaritans came from the 12 tribes of Jacob, but they were from the northern kingdom of Israel. They had become “half-breeds” because they married the Babylonians and Assyrians. He compared the feud of the Jewish people and the Samaritans to the McCoys and the Hatfields.
- The first line of the Scripture says: Jesus had to go through Samaria. He didn’t take that route for travelling necessity but took it because God needed Him to meet the Samaritan woman.
- The historicity of the well is such that they can say for almost certain “here is the well”, and that’s after 3000 years since it was dug. That’s authentic.
- The time that the Samaritan woman came to the well is noon – very hot. And she came alone. That is not what women did who went for water. They came when it was cooler and they came together so they could talk about all that is going on in their lives. The Samaritan woman was an outcast so she couldn’t go with the others. She came alone.
The four points of the lesson:
God’s love is not based on who we are.
I learned that everyone is important to Jesus. He crossed cultural (a woman), historical (Samaritan), moral (she was an outcast) lines. That means I too have to cross those barriers when I meet others. I can’t label people. I must see them as God sees them – with a genuine love of Jesus. I must make eye contact and show them that I care.
I must be ATTENTIVE.
God’s love is not based on what we know.
If I want an abundant life I need to be different. I can’t be complacent and let life pass me by. God said:
“For I know the plans I have for you, … plans … to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Even in retirement God is not finished with me yet. Am I trying to box God in? Or can I take the living water and drink deeply?
I must be CURIOUS.
God’s love is not based on what we’ve done.
This resounded with me because it repeated what I read from Oswald Chambers this morning. I can’t keep changing the subject with God when He is trying to tell me something. The Samaritan woman does her best to take the talk away from her sin. But Jesus keeps bringing it back to her, until she relents and starts listening to Him.
Oswald asks:
“You say – “I know I am right with God”; but still the “high places” remain, there is something over which you have not obeyed” (Oswald Chambers April 15).
Is He talking to me or to you right now? Are we listening to Him or making excuses?
I must LISTEN.
God’s love is based on who Jesus is.
Jesus is the I AM. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is the Bread of Life. All we need to say is, “I am sorry” and He says, “You are forgiven.”
I must COME TO JESUS.
To top off all I learned today I received an email with a song that is new to me. The words spoke exactly what we learned today. It is called GRACE by Laura Story.
The words are awesome.
Grace
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.
Chorus:
I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?”
And you answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.”
At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don’t deserve You. And that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.
Chorus
I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?”
And you answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.”
You are so patient with me, Lord.
As I walk with You, I’m learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I’m learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You’ve given to me.
Chorus:
I ask you: “How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?”
And you answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face, You’ll walk in the pow’r of My daily sufficient grace.
