A Little Talk With Jesus
We live in a culture that tells us to be independent and self reliant. We see commercials that tell us to “do it yourself” and our daily engagement with various businesses encourage us to “self service”. But the reality of life is that we are empty and unsatisfied without meaningful connection beyond ourselves. In this week’s scripture (Joh 4:7-15; 28-30; 39-41) a woman who comes to a well all alone, finds Jesus and makes the spiritual connection that will change her life forever. I pray that you will take advantage of the same opportunity as the Samaritan woman, to make connection with Jesus… and have a little talk with Him (whenever, wherever and as often as you need to). Amen
Listen as Elevation Worship and Maverick City sing “Talking To Jesus”
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:7–15). Jesus deliberately traveled through the region of Samaria. Pious Jews in particular usually traveled around Samaria to avoid contact with people they considered half breeds (mixed race and mixed faith). There was mutual disdain and distrust between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus “needed” to go through Samaria because they needed to hear His message. This Samaritan woman would be converted and her testimony would help others come to believe in Christ. The fact that she came to the well alone and at an unusual hour, speaks to her social condition. Her unexpected encounter with Jesus went from Him asking her for water to temporarily relieve His physical thirst, to her asking Him for Living Water that would eternally relieve her spiritual thirst! Talking with Jesus taps us into Living Water… He eternally satisfies our spiritual need!
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28–30). After her encounter with Jesus, this Samaritan woman couldn’t keep the good news that she had heard only to herself. She had to go and tell somebody. It is amazing to think about some of the “stuff” that believers we will call up and tell our acquaintances, but we won’t tell them about the difference the Lord has made in our lives. This woman recognized the spiritual need that others around her also had, and her witness (he told me everything I ever did) compelled them to come to Jesus. They too wanted an encounter with the One who had invited her to drink from the Living Waters instead of the “broken cisterns” that had left their lives thirsty and unsatisfied (Jer. 2:13). Jesus is so good, I just can’t keep Him to myself!
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. (John 4:39–41). The power of a believer telling their story can produce incredible results. In her case, this Samaritan woman’s testimony caused many in her town to believe. And the Samaritan’s , who would typically have rejected a Jewish rabbi (and he them), implored Jesus to stay with them…and He did! Jesus calls to the rejected, poor in spirit and outcast with an offer to abide with us as the Living Water!
“Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right…” is the lasting refrain of a song that encourages us to communicate with our Lord about anything and everything that troubles us. Nothing that we encounter is too big, too bad or too bothersome to take to Him in prayer. In a time where so many are struggling with anxiety, depression and general worry, we need to know that we can talk to the Lord and unburden our troubles to find peace and direction. Just like the Samaritan woman who engaged in a conversation with Jesus, He can change your life and open your eyes to a new reality. And just like the Samaritan woman, you can come to Him by yourself, at any time of the day and ask of Him what you will. Go on, see what a difference it makes…when you have a little talk with Jesus!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
