Jesus gave the woman at the well living water, and it changed her world.
What will His gift do for yours?
Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, January 12, 2015
Based Upon John 4
Great needs exist in our communities all around the world. From Jamaica to Sri Lanka, many children are starving. From Sierra Leone to Vietnam, diseases overcome multitudes of people. From Croatia to California, orphans lack the attention and love they need. Even with humanitarian efforts in each land, the money falls short of accomplishing the goals. Governments obsessed with other matters, exhaust the money on those matters while their citizens languish. Unfortunately, this is not a peculiar issue. There is abundant room for improvement in every land.
One day, as Jesus went about His duties, He stopped at a well where He met a Samaritan woman. In His brief encounter with her, He meticulously broke down several barriers. He penetrated religious, gender, racial, and social bigotry in one pointed conversation with her. Their dialog on all of these matters played out like a spiritual game of chess. By the time this match was almost over, Jesus was offering the woman the eternal water of life. With joy and thanksgiving she accepted this gift, and went into the city doing what comes natural to those who have life changing encounters with Jesus. She began to invite people to meet Him. “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.” (John 4:28-30). By sharing her real-life Jesus encounter with others, she demonstrated the ultimate in community service.
When those whom the Samaritan woman brought to Jesus had their own experience with Him, they too were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and asked Him to stay with them. As a result of His two-day stay, many more were converted. “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:40-42).
The answer to all community needs is Jesus Christ. It is as Jesus lives in all who would bring relief to those victimized by their circumstances, that we are led to fulfill community needs. He is willing and available to teach believers how to give money, food, medical supplies, education, and other resources necessary to restore communities, one at a time. Most of all, He wants to give everlasting life to the suffering ones. With this gift, one day all needs will disappear. With this gift, all will live with God where there will be no more sickness, death or pain. For the former things will all be passed away (Revelation 21:4). I look forward to that day. How about you?
