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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Jesus Christ and His disciples have entered what might have been regarded by many as a no-go area. Jesus and His chosen men are walking through Samaria. We are reading John Chapter 4.
It is hot. It is noon. Jesus is weary, thirsty, hungry, tired and worn out, and the disciples go into the village to buy some food. Jesus sits down on top of the well.
A woman comes out to draw water and Jesus requests a drink.
What a strange time to come out and draw water – noon! Maybe she did not want to meet anyone. She was a loner. She appeared to like and prefer men to women.
An extraordinary conversation ensues. It is so very different from the meeting Jesus had with Nicodemus. Some people you have to meet in the open.
Her life was about to be transformed. Her village was going to be transformed. When you meet Jesus, He can transform anyone.
Jesus left the Jordan and its crowds to speak with the one woman, and the result is revival in a village.
She tries everything to stop the conversation. She wants to close the discussion.
Once Jesus begins to speak He goes on talking. People can say – I am not going to any more church services – I am not reading the Bible – and yet, Jesus can go on talking with them – and Jesus goes on talking even when people do not want Him to go on talking.
Jesus Christ does upset and disturb and challenge.
Jesus makes a request. “Give me a drink”.
He ignores convention, etiquette, racialism, artificial human barriers, as here we see a Jew asking a Samaritan woman for help.
Verse 9. She gives Him the cold shoulder. “Who do you think you are?”
You don’t talk to us. We don’t speak. She does not want to know.
If only you knew Who is speaking to you, you would ask for living water.
If only people knew Who was speaking to them – the living God – the Christ – the Saviour.
I can give you living water – spring water bouncing and bubbling water which is full of life! – and, not just a glassful – but a reservoir!
Verse 11. You cannot do that. You have nothing to draw with. She is quite logical, but so limited and bound. “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” Are you better and bigger than Jacob?
Verses 13,14. Drink this and you will become thirsty again, and of course Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit. He is speaking about the necessity of having running water deep within you – hidden resources for dry barren times – but also living bouncing water for ministry and service – deep bubbling streams of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus offers living water so that we can refresh others, and not always be looking for a drink for ourselves.
Verse 15. At this point she is almost becoming flippant. Lead me to it then and I’ll never need to trek out here again!
The deeper Jesus went, the shallower she became! Have you ever noticed that?
Some try to laugh it off, and treat it all so lightly, and make a joke of spiritual things.
Never joke when Jesus is serious, and never be flippant with Christ and over spiritual truths.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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