vv 25-25. The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
Don’t bother too much about the detail of this conversation, just admire the fact that John writes about it! For the first time in the book Jesus is recorded as speaking plainly about the fact that He is the Messiah – and it is to a woman who many would have regarded as somewhat disreputable.
This is remarkable love that reaches out to a woman on the fringe of society.
More than just reaching out to her, Jesus dares to explain serious spiritual truth to her! All the talk about ‘Living Water, and a ‘Bubbling spring within her’ is enough to mystify a Professor of Theology and cause books to be written about it! Yet – it is to a woman (who’d have thought it!), and not even a Jewish woman (Help!)
We will see again and again in the course of our readings from John that Love reaches out to cross boundaries. We will find Jesus touching lepers, eating with Tax Collectors, allowing a prostitute to wipe His feet, and yes – even dealing graciously with a convicted criminal in His final agonies on the cross.
That is Jesus for you, and that is love for you.
If you ever wonder if you are good enough to be a Christian and be accepted by God, then banish the thought!
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