Jesus is no respecter of persons. That means He loves you no matter if your past is good or bad, your bank account is full or empty, or your skin is black or white – or somewhere in between all of those examples. To Him there is neither, “Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for all are one in Christ.” In the unity of the Body of Christ, there are differences of race, status, and gender but they all lose their significance. They do not cease to exist but spiritual position is equal for all – we are in Christ – He is where we find our identity.

In John 4, we see that Jesus left Judea and headed north for Galilee. The Pharisees were giving Him fits (John 3:25-30) so he headed north to minister. He had three options to get from Judea to Galilee: go along the coast, across Jordan and up through Perea, or go straight through Samaria. Now, most Jews of the day avoided Samaria because of the hatred between them. The Samaritans were of a mixed race – part Jew and part Gentile that grew out of the Assyrian captivity of 727BC. The Samaritans were rejected by the Jews and formed their own temple and worship services. Did you know that some Pharisees hated the Samaritans so much they prayed none would be raised in the resurrection? Jesus’ enemies also called Him a Samaritans (an insulting name they thought – John 8:48). He called those hypocritical bigots sons of Satan in return (John 8:44).

So why would Jesus, a Jew, go through Samaria knowing the division between the Jewish people and Samaritans? It was a divine appointment. There, He would wait on a broken and rejected Samaritans woman, lead her to salvation, and send her on her way to save an entire city. That’s the true love of the Lord – He sees past skin color, culture, and separating lines. He is no respecter of persons. In John 3 He spent time with a very moral Jewish man and now He was spending time with a very immoral Samaritans woman. Why? He wants all to come to salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

While His disciples went into town to get some supper, Jesus waited on this woman. The disciples were more interested in filling their bellies but Jesus was more concerned about filling this woman with “living water” (John 4:13-14). Sure Jesus was probably hungry as well (being fully human) but His longing for this woman to be saved outweighed any physical hunger. Jesus knew the disciples needed food, He needed a drink of water (John 4:7), and other physical means to life like air – we all do. But God provides all of these in a greater, more satisfying, fulfilling, and eternal way. God’s Spirit gives us breath (John 3:8), Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:48) and also life-giving water (John 4:10). Now that’s something we all want, not just this woman. Good News! Jesus offers it all to us!

Jesus told this woman everything about her – even her deepest secrets and failures (John 4:17-18, 29). This was not condemnation but convection. And without convection from the Lord there is no conversion. That day, her life was changed forever. What she had experienced she wanted to extend! She went into the city and shared with the men about the Man she had met – Jesus. She now had living water inside of her and for the first time in life was satisfied! Many believed in Him that day (John 4:39), Jesus stayed two more days, and many more believed in Him (John 4:41). Indeed, they now realized form themselves, Jesus was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Is He for you? I pray you drink in His life-giving water of salvation and are truly satisfied.

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.