The Source is Jesus!

April 02, 2012 Monday Message:

In John 4, the woman at the well had three strikes against her.

1. The woman was a Samaritan. Even though Samaritans and Jews were cousins, they’d never openly admit it, remaining dedicated segregationists. Jesus broke these rules, thereby breaking down cultural barriers and later reinforcing the principle with his Good Samaritan parable. The Good News is for ALL people!

2. She was a woman. At that time, Jewish men would begin their morning prayers by thanking God for making them male. Rabbis wouldn’t teach the law to women, but here was Jesus - speaking spiritual truths - to a woman – a Samaritan woman! Thankfully, Christianity follows the example of our Savior.

3. She had gone through five husbands, and was now living with a potential number six. Her community considered her immoral, keeping her separate.

What does Jesus do with an immoral, ostracized Samaritan of the opposite sex? He gives her another chance, a do-over.

After sharing her water from the well, Jesus teaches that HE is the LIVING water! The woman has heard that a Messiah is coming, and Jesus replies, “I am He, the One speaking to you.” John 4:26

So ironically, this woman, a Samaritan with a questionable past, is the one person equipped by Jesus to bring the Good News to her people.

What about you? What about your church? Do you expect all the Good News to come from official channels, from organized religion? Or would you make time for the ministry of someone with a checkered past?

If the woman at the well arrived with Good News, would YOU listen? Realize that the source isn’t the woman at the well – the source is Jesus!

Norton Lawellin