Reflections

John 4:28, 29

People that have talked Bible with me very much know that this verse comes from my favorite Bible story. I guess it is because I see myself in the woman. No, I have not been married 5 times. However, apart from Christ, I am that same bitter, lonely, desperately seeking person that she was. I imagine her to be tough and sharp tongued. I believe she could verbally spar with the best of them because it was a shield from what was really going on inside her.

She meets this man at a well and he keeps saying these crazy things to her. The first one being "Give me to drink" (John 4:7). The He tells her that had she asked, He would have given her water (v. 10). This was crazy because He was asking her for help because He did not have anything to draw water with. How could He give her water? Then He talks about a fountain of water inside her (vs. 13-14). Finally, He tells her to go get her husband (v. 16). She tells Him that she has no husband and He says, True, you have had 5 and are now living with a 6th (v. 18). Who was this man? I wonder if while Jesus was talking to her if she was looking at her reflection in the water?

They discuss religion for a while and then Jesus reveals to her that He is the Messiah. She immediately believes. In her excitement, she runs back to town and tells the men about her encounter. She is happy and excited because Jesus told her all things that ever she did.

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The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

John 4:28-29

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Isn't that strange? How could she be excited because Jesus pointed out that her life was a wreck? Shouldn't that have brought more shame? After all, the sole reason she was alone getting water in the middle of the day was because other people knew "all things that ever (she) did". What made the fact that Jesus knew her failures bring relief?

The answer is that Jesus is the Messiah. He knew who she was and what she had done and He accepted her. He did not accept her sin, but He accepted her. He loved her. He did not shun her. He did not condemn her. He talked with her. He offered her eternal life. He chose her. However, before she could accept the "water" He was offering, she had to first look in the mirror. She had to see what she had been trying to hide. She had to confront her failures and sins. It was not for the purpose of her cleaning up her life. She could not do that. It was for her to realize how desperately she needed forgiveness. It was for her to realize how desperately she needed acceptance from God. This is true for us as well. Before we can receive forgiveness from sins we must look at our reflection as well. We must see that we are helpless sinners. We must face our rejection and realize that there is one who is willing to accept us. He does not accept our sins, but he does accept us. Then, we too will want to run and tell others about this man who "told us all things ever (we) did".

Father, help me to see who I am. When I see my faults and failures, my sins, may I run to you and seek your forgiveness. Then, may I run to the world and tell them "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?