Everyone packs different. Chelsea packs bags within bags neat and orderly. Me on the other hand, I just throw a bunch of clothes in there and roll on. Jesus had recently spent time with Nicodemus laying out His plans for ministry and what it means to be born-again. We now find Him in Samaria with this woman at the well. By the way, it’s a big deal Jesus being in Samaria because Samaritans and Jewish people didn’t get along.
Notice the conversation Jesus has with this lady. He straight up tells her she is living in sin. “Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”” John 4:16-18
Remember, she was at the well during midday because she was shamed by those around her, and they didn’t visit the well during the hot part of the day. She was there to provide for herself as well, but we see her response, “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”” John 4:28-29
Yes, Jesus shared with her the truth of her sin but notice what was important is she recognized He was the Messiah. Her past sin and even her physical needs in the moment didn’t matter anymore with that understanding. She left the pot and told all those that didn’t care for her much about her newfound belief. It was life changing to meet Jesus. Yes, the same for us today.
When our focus is on Jesus being the Messiah, and Him talking to us, other things become of less importance. Jesus changes everything! Is this true for you today? There are plenty of things in life that we could focus on but there is nothing we should be more focused on than Jesus. Truly focusing on Him gives life no matter what your past or even your present are. We all have the baggage of sin and shame in life. No matter how we have packed those bags recognizing Jesus as the Messiah does away of all our past and lets us live in His plan for our future.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.