“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.” (John 4:19, NIV)
In yesterday’s devotion, we began a simple exploration of John 4 and the exchange recorded there between Jesus and a woman who, though nameless, is known to so many who have read the Scriptures because of the compelling nature of her story.
Many times, you will hear her referred to as “the woman at the well.” She was this. But where our memories often take us from there is to her nature as a sinner. She was an adulteress, apparently having given up on the idea of marriage after five attempts that had ended badly. We do not know whose fault those failures was, but the weight is so easy to assign to her, since her present sin is so open.
But notice: It’s open to her as well. If there is one thing this woman isn’t, it’s a pretender. This was hard to do around Jesus—pretend, dissemble, hide. In a matter of moments, he exposed people so plainly that only the most hardened Pharisees dared to stand on their own defended righteousness.
Nothing has ever brought religion to life for them. They have never had an encounter with Jesus.What is wonderful about people who are open to admitting their sin is that they are so often open as well to the idea of redemption. This woman was of such a spirit. Religion and theology were not arcane topics for her; she just hadn’t ever found anyone to authenticate either for her.
Until now.
Look at this woman. When Jesus told her the condition of her life, she recognized that he was a prophet. She then immediately turned the conversation to worship. And eventually she told him, “I know that Messiah is coming.” This woman was spiritually aware and sensitive.
Many people you encounter know more than they let on about the church and its head, Jesus Christ. They had grandparents who practiced their deeply held beliefs, or they went to parochial school, or they have respected Billy Graham and other authentic leaders in the church, just as they do a venerable golfer or a successful CEO. But nothing has ever brought religion to life for them. They have never had an encounter with Jesus.
Too often we hesitate to engage someone we hardly know in religious conversation—you know, it’s not something you do in polite company. But exchanging funny stories about Sister Margaret and her surprising profanities among the third graders at St. John’s Catholic Grade School just might be the thing for finding out if the person across the table from you is much like the woman at the well: seriously interested in the wonders of God, if only they could find someone to point the real way.
Will you be that kind of pot-stirrer? Finding the spark of interest will make your own heart leap. You’re probably no prophet, and you’re certainly not the Messiah. But you can talk to others as Jesus did and walk those who are desirous to a meetup with him.
—
Jeff Hopper
May 31, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.