Daily Devotion, April 21, 2020

Devotion:

Read John 4:5-15.

After a long journey Jesus stops in Samaria by a well. Samaritans were half-Jews and half-Gentiles, most Jews avoided going to Samaria for fear of contracting some kind of ceremonial uncleanness. Jesus is about to disrupt the status-quo. A Samaritan woman appears at the well. As the story develops we learn that Jesus knows of her and knows she has had five husbands and is living with another. She is considered immoral and perhaps has come in the heat of the day to the well in order to avoid those who must have mocked her and criticized her. Nevertheless, Jesus asks for water. When she questions him about asking a Samaritan for a drink, Jesus says something thought provoking, something designed to encourage a response and begin a religious conversation.

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:10

Jesus tells this woman who has been marginalized by her community, “If you only knew.” If you only knew who I am, you’d know that you have living water the one true God is offering. You’d know that I can take that burden from you, forgive you, and help you move past your pain. You’d know that I can forgive you. You’d know that I can help you move on from a past that has been painful, that has been filled with bad choices, with broken promises, with embarrassment, and hopelessness, and shame, and condemnation, and all the snickering, and all the hateful comments. Jesus assures her that he will satisfy her needs and give her eternal life.

Jesus offers us the same living water. When we are dealing with frustration, disappointment, hurt, weakness, shame, doubt, or confusion, Jesus is telling us, “If you only knew, you’d know I have a gift to help you and to ease your pain. You just need to trust me.” Today as we are dealing with fear over the unknown, concern about loved ones, and worry about the future in the face of an invisible enemy, COVID-19, Jesus offers us living water. Let’s trust our sovereign, all-knowing God with our present and our future.

Personal Worship Option:

What might he be saying to you when he asks you this question, “If you only knew...?” In what area of your life do you need to trust him and receive the living water he offers?