"If You Only Knew..."

As we observe in Scripture how Jesus interacted with people, it becomes quickly evident that He treated each person in a unique way.  He observed the unique qualities of the individuals.  He began at the level of the individual and provided a way for that person to find God (IF he/she was willing).

There were at least three reasons why, according to the Jews, Jesus should not have had any interaction with one particular woman (see John 4:1-42).

•  For one thing, she was a Samaritan.  The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9).  This is the reason why the woman was surprised when Jesus asked her to draw some water for him to drink from Jacob’s well.

• The second reason why Jesus, according to the Jews, should not have been talking with this woman was because she was a woman.  When Jesus’ disciples came back from town, "they marveled that He talked with a woman" (John 4:27).  Why did they marvel?  This just wasn't done among the strict Jewish leaders!  The strict Jewish Rabbis (teachers) forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public.

• The third reason why the Jews thought Jesus should not have been conversing with this woman was because of her character.  In the course of their conversation, Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here" (John 4:16).  The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”  Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly” (John 4:18).  Her broken marriages and her live-in boyfriend sorely revealed her broken heart as well as her broken reputation.

Yet, despite these reasons, Jesus spoke to this woman.  He spoke to her because He wanted to give her something that she desperately needed, even though she was unaware of the nature of the gift.

Observe carefully Jesus’ words to this woman of a despised race, slighted gender and immoral character:

"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" (John 4:10).

“If you only knew THE GIFT of God…”  The woman, at first, had no idea of the magnitude of the gift that Jesus wanted to give her.  He called it, “ living water.”  This signified life – a new life and eternal life (John 4:13-14).  This gift of God was made available through Jesus; He was and is the source of  “ living water.”

“If you only knew … WHO IT IS who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink.’”  This man who dared to speak to this woman was none other than the glorious Son of God.  Yet, in all His glory and holiness, Jesus cared about this inglorious and unholy woman who needed salvation.

And, He cares about you.  He wants to give you the gift that He wanted to give the Samaritan woman:  Salvation!

Salvation is the gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), BUT we must accept God’s gift of salvation on His terms.  We accept this gift by believing in Jesus (Acts 16:31), repenting of our sin (Acts 17:30), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38).

For too many, life will simply end without ever knowing why it began. 

IF they only understood the value of the gift they forfeit.  IF they only knew the identity of the One whose words they ignore or reject.  This is the message the world desperately needs to hear today – and it’s up to us to lovingly tell them and help them to understand - before it is eternally too late.

Unfortunately, many have not accepted His gift.  If they only knew…

Will you accept His gift on His terms?

God bless you.

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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