Devotion:
Without a photo ID, how would you explain your identity to another person? John’s gospel focuses on the identity of Jesus the Christ and the meaning of discipleship. Eleven titles of Jesus are mentioned in John 1!
As current readers we have the advantage of knowing the identities of the two main characters of this passage: Jesus, the Messiah, (meaning the Anointed One) and the woman-at-the-well. But this woman-at-the-well had no idea who was asking her for a drink of water. She explains her identity by not telling the truth about the man she is with. Yet, Jesus did know her life story and all its truth!
As Jesus tells the truth about her life’s story, she realizes that Jesus is a prophet. Their conversation continues. Then she says, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Jesus’ response is, “I who speak to you am he.” This declaration that he is the Messiah, must have held a moment of awe for this woman. (The words to Moses from the burning bush. “Tell them it is ‘I Am’ who is sending you.” are echoed here.)
Now the disciples are confused because their understanding of the identity of a true Messiah is he would not talk to a woman he didn’t know and certainly not a Samaritan woman! Their eyes were to be continually opened to who Christ was and came to be for all people.
This one who encountered the Messiah has been given a NEW IDENTITY! Her new identity is a witness forever of the boundlessness of God’s grace in Christ! “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did!” she proclaims! “And what is not said here, but is implicit in her action is, ‘and loved me anyway!’’ writes the Rev. Anna Carter Florence.
The Living Christ, the Messiah, knows, understands and loves you. When we encounter the Living Christ, who knows the truth about us and loves us anyway, we can’t help but be changed and given new identities as well!
Personal Worship Option:
Dear God, lead me to encounter the living Christ in such a way today, that I’m transformed toward the new identity you want to accomplish in my life.
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