Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus the Healer
“Jesus
answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a
drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (10)
The
story of the Samaritan woman at the well is one that is familiar to the church
body, yet a story that is filled with numerous words of encouragement of who
God is and His relationship with His people.
There
are many who face struggles or obstacles that may leave them feeling
disconnected or not in line with the perceived ‘sinless’ atmosphere of the
church. Those who are struggling may avoid the church atmosphere to avoid
criticism, gossip, or the out casting looks from the members of the church.
Yet, biblically Jesus came to do just the opposite. He overlooks the sinful
nature and cultural separation of the Samaritan woman and He reached out to her
and offered her eternal life and offered her healing to the life that she was
living. He reminded her that it is not the physical water, but the spiritual
living water that brings healing and new life.
Our
society today is filled with many who are hurting, isolated, and looking for
hope and love in a world that is full of hate, violence, and rejection. Many
feel an emptiness and turn to drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, and violence
(physical, mortal) to fill the hurt and pain they are trying to heal. Jesus,
like in this story of the Samaritan woman, reaches out with no judgment, no
rejection and immediately offers her the opportunity for eternal life. That
same opportunity is offered to us every single moment and Jesus asks us to do
the same to those around us. He asks us to quench our thirst not with the
things of this world, but with the living water that gives us eternal life
through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we live in a
world that is in need of you. A world that is confused, divided, and seeking
physical fulfillment to fill a void that only you can fill. Lord we as
humanity, as a nation, are in need of you to fill us, to quench our thirsty
spirits. Fill us Lord with your Spirit and fill us with your living water so we
may never thirst again, but for you alone.
Thought for
the Day: Rely on and drink of the living water for eternal life and hope
for the future in this mortal world.
Betty Vattakkunnel, Trinity, MTC
Houston