Yesterday Pastor Christine broke the Word all the way down. There was no mistaking that! She preached from John chapter 4--the familiar story of our "friend" the Samaritan woman at the well.
Pastor Christine told us the following three things:
1. Jesus comes by to tear down the wall of separation.
2. Jesus comes by to break down the wall of our physical limitations.
3. Jesus comes by to break down the wall of denial.
Pastor Christine also shared with us that sometimes we benefit from rejecting offers--while we may lose some people in the process--in the end we gain. Also, we learned the Jesus doesn't want what's in our pot because our pots can become contaminated. Rather Jesus wants to fill us with living water that springs forth.
It was interesting to me that the scripture focused on the fact that the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, yet Jesus was there for the purpose of dealing directly with some issues. Jesus broke down the wall of separation in more than a figurative way. He made it clear that all had access to Him.
I think what I liked the most from this sermon was the fact that Jesus came by to remove our excuses. If He has put a vision before you then He has already provided the way for you and the means for you and the provision for you. Remember that your vision won't just be handed to you on a silver platter. There are things that you must go through to bring you to your well for your meeting with the Savior.
Be clear that He is not intimidated by your sin. He wants you to admit it and move on past it. We have all sinned and fallen short. That is not the end nor is it the point. This scripture text doesn't rest on the fact that this woman had already had five husbands and was cavorting with a man that was not her husband at that present moment. Nor does it rest on the fact that she was getting water from the well at noon when the rest of the women had gotten their water in the morning time. Actually, this scripture text down plays all of her faults and highlights the fact that she became an unlikely messenger of the Word. No one expected her to be the one with the good news on her tongue. She was shunned and shamed. Jesus wants us to know that He is clear on what we've done yet He desires to have that well experience with us anyway. He is not phased by our sins or our iniquities. He simply provides the avenue to break the wall down.
The Samaritan woman accepted that Jesus told her and she shared that truth with others. I also find it interesting that when she shared what she learned with the "men" of the town, they came--so she was an effective witness! When they heard they said, "We don't believe because of what she told us, but we believe because we heard it ourselves!" Most people might become offended at that passage thinking man that was rude. This woman just shared the good news of the gospel with you and you totally ignore that she was the one that told you, but in fact we all ought to strive to be like her. It is unimportant what vessel delivers the message. Thank God for using us at all. The important thing is that people are compelled to come and see a man who told me all that I ever did! The spotlight is on Jesus--not us. He is the only one with the power to save and deliver! This lesson made that point perfectly. Jesus wants to come by where ever you are and make you an offer that you can't refuse! Where folks used to not deal with you, He wants to make the deal of a lifetime with you!
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