Women at the Well
by Margaret D. Mitchell
"Jesus came and told His disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" -Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Purposed Similarities
The Samaritan woman in John 4 was a kind of Rebekah. In fact, she is every woman who has stepped into Jesus’ invitation of salvation from her sinful past. Where Rebekah may not have expected to meet Abraham’s senior servant at the well—the godly man who would lead her to her earthy husband, Isaac, the Samaritan woman at the well, may not have expected to meet her true earthy and heavenly husband, Jesus, there either.
God’s ways are often serendipitous; and He loves every one of us the same, offering His salvation and life to each of us, gracing those of us who receive His invitation with favor, regardless of our pasts.
Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well is an illustration of His sweet redemption for the least of us who have fallen, which is all of us.
Both Rebekah and the Samaritan woman…
·Were led closer to God’s intimate love for them
·Stepped into God’s plan and provision for them
·Rejoiced
·Became brides and witnesses for God
·Were vessels through which God produced more fruit
Purposed Vessels
These women were transformed when The Presence of The Lord showed up. And, through both of them, God’s Kingdom on earth expanded (John 4:42, Gen 25:21). God produced two nations through Rebekah (Gen 25:23) and saved “many” and “many more” in a town called Sychar in Samaria through the Samarian woman (John 4:39, 41).
And isn’t it interesting that the well where Jesus met the Samaritan woman was in fact Jacob’s well, Jacob being the offspring of Rebekah? (God works in seasons, cycles and patterns; and He never forgets.)
Isn’t it also interesting that both of these women served the purpose of The Lord as vessels with vessels? Both women served “senior” servants, who had nothing and used nothing with which to draw water from the well—because neither needed anything (Gen 24:17, 25:2, John 4:11). They trusted God to provide the vessels.
Isn’t it interesting, too, that God drew both of these women closer to Him and brought Rebekah to Isaac—bringing the woman to the man—as He did in the beginning with Eve to Adam (Gen 2:22)?
Jesus Justifies Us
For us, it all begins the same way…with a man named Jesus who extends His invitation to us, desiring to be our first husband (Is 54:5), our Lover, our Provider.
No matter where you are, God can use you and transform you. There is no shame or condemnation in Christ, who washed our sins away with His blood at Calvary (Rom 8:1). To come under shame or condemnation after we have repented of our sins is a sin of unbelief that goes against God’s truth and faithfulness of His Word to us. And people who operate in the condemnation of others have pridefully exalted and seated themselves as a judge above God’s righteousness. This kind of self-righteous sin is outside of God’s will, and it won’t go unnoticed by Him.
Jesus is our justifier (Rom 3:26). And in the cases of Rebekah and the Samaritan woman, The Presence of The Lord justified them as His chosen brides, revealing His outpouring of love for them at a well.
So just like the Samaritan woman at the well, when you have Jesus on your side, you don’t have to fear the criticism of others. God’s Word is final. Like her, you can fearlessly run into town to share The Good News (John 4:28-29)! And like Rebekah, you can run into your household and tell them of God’s Good News for you (Gen 24:28). Notice that neither woman seemed to doubt God’s revelations. No, they ran with them!
Salvation for Life
During the wait for her promised husband, I wonder if Rebekah ever felt uncertain. I wonder if the Samaritan woman ever felt forgotten, even for a moment. Have you ever felt like Rebekah, waiting in anticipation for God to move on your behalf, or like the woman at the well—unworthy due to your lifestyle behaviors? If so, Jesus can change all that!
If you haven’t received Him as Lord and Savior of your life, maybe it’s time. And if you have, remember that no sin is greater than His grace to forgive and restore your life to abundance. You don’t have to fear God or the prideful contempt of mankind. Just say “Yes, I will receive You, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. Yes, I will follow You.” Then return to intimacy with Him as His bride.
You can also take one more step by returning to His church for fellowship. Ask The Holy Spirit to lead you to the church and the mentors He desires you to befriend. And trust that He has His best at heart for you. Then watch Him unfold His blessings for you as you obey.
Psalm 32:8 (NLT) assures us that "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'"
In this you can be certain.
Both of these women affected nations (Gen 25:23, John 4:39) for Jesus. How about you? Are you willing to be a vessel to nations?
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. This devotional was adapted from Margaret's forthcoming book, Enduring Grace. All rights reserved.
Originally published Sunday, 02 October 2016.
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