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Words of WisdomWeek 48A PICTURE OF HOPE FOR YOURead John 4: 4 - 30, 39 - 42FOCUSThe Man Jesus is tired and thirsty. His human body is in need of rest and refreshment. He sees a well in the distance and heads straight for it. But there is a problem. He needs someone who has the necessary equipment, to get the water from so deep a well. Guess who comes along? A Samaritan prostitute. She has three strikes against her. She is a woman. She is a Samaritan woman. She is a prostitute. Of all the people to meet in public, in this time of human need, is this type of person. Jesus sees her and none of these things stop Him from talking to her. FACTSLet's agree on some facts. It is Jesus who speaks to this woman first. She never speaks to him first.It is Jesus who asks her to help Him. She never asks for His help first.Does Jesus know what kind of person she is? Oh yes, He does!Does it matter to Jesus, who sees Him talking to such a woman, in public? Not in the least. Does it not trouble Him that people will say awful things about Him? Jesus is so used to people calling Him by His friends' awful names, that to be called by this Samaritan woman’s sinful name, does not in any way phase Him. Jesus is able to help her face the life she is trying to deny and hide. Remember, she does not see herself as having a husband. It takes a while, but Jesus never leaves her, until the change is wrought within her. How is that change seen? FREEDOMA woman, who once lived as a slave to an adulterous life, is so fascinated by someone who tells her about her sordid life, with such love and compassionate care, she is constrained to cling to Him. Not only that, but she goes to the people in her town and not only tells them about this different Man, but is excited for them to come with her to see Him. " Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" ( verse 29 )Whether you are male or female, are you free to let this prostitute Samaritan woman take you also to the Man, Jesus? What is this woman telling you about Jesus? Can you hear her saying theses things? No life of any sinful, shameful addiction, is too dirty, or too far gone for Jesus to cleanse. Nobody is beyond His redemption. She is also saying that this Man makes the first move, as He seeks to offer His redemptive love. Is she saying that as embarrassed as you may be about your present life, Jesus is not in the least bit embarrassed to be seen with you, in public? He is not afraid to be seen as your Friend, the Friend who calls you, walks with you and brings a ‘God-Smiling’ change in you. You may not know it, but Jesus knows exactly what He can and will do in you and for you.
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