John 4:16-26
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
In yesterday’s meditation we watched as Jesus upended social norms to bring dignity and hope to a lonely societal outcast. Today’s passage is the second or four parts of the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman. If you haven’t already, read John 4:1-15 before you begin today’s meditation.
Read John 4:16-26 paying attention to any questions that arise in you.
“Go and get your husband.” Rather than skirt the underlying cause of the woman’s shame, Jesus addresses it directly. This woman has been used and abandoned by multiple men. As a first century woman, she would have had little choice in this, but when Jesus speaks her truth she doesn’t shrink away.
What do you think it was about the way Jesus spoke to the woman that made her recognize him as a prophet rather than another judge or another abuser? Imagine his tone of voice and expression.
The woman feels safe enough in Jesus’ presence to share some of her deepest life questions with him, and Jesus not only takes her seriously, he responds by sharing truths that even his own disciples have not heard.
What big questions do you have for Jesus about life and faith? Jesus is more than willing to reveal truth to anyone who seeks it and believes he holds the answers. When we come to him in spirit and in truth, he uses our questions to reveal himself to us in life-altering ways.
Stop to contemplate this for a moment. Is there anything you want to say to Jesus just now?
Read John 14:16-26 again letting the impact of Jesus’ revelation to the woman in verse 26 sink in.
The first person to hear Jesus state his identity as the Messiah is a person who has been abused and rejected by her community. No matter what you have faced or how you have been beaten up by life, Jesus is ready and eager to fill you with his love and to give your life new meaning and purpose.
Take the last couple of minutes of this time to sit in silence in the presence of Jesus. You might want to consider asking him to fill you with his love and guide you toward his purpose for your life.
You may sense that Jesus is leading you toward an action of some kind. If so, take a step in that direction today.
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