Coming Attraction for March 23: “Water Cooler Conversations,” a sermon based upon John 4:5-42, Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. Below is an excerpt: Based upon this story, Jesus not only came to break down barriers between people, but he was also sent to build up those who had been beaten down by the hardships of life. It is apparent life was a struggle for this woman, and it had been for a long time. She was all too familiar with disappointment, depression and grief. Several times she made trips to the cemetery of broken dreams and buried her highest hopes for a better life. Each time this journey left scars of despair and disgrace. When she met Jesus, she was hanging on by a thread. Many speculate one reason she was at the well at noon was because she did not feel comfortable being around other people. Most people went to the well early in the morning to beat the noon day heat, but for some reason she did not. Perhaps it was just too painful to answer one more question about her personal life or to have people turn their heads when she walked up to draw water. For the first time since she could probably remember, when she met Jesus she encountered someone who wanted to give to her rather than take from her. Here was a man who treated her respectfully and gave her his undivided attention along with compassion, mercy, grace, hope and healing, and he was a stranger. He took her faith and questions seriously and engaged her in a meaningful conversation. He truly wanted to open her eyes to a new way of thinking, believing and living, which would change her life forever. It was not as if he was unaware of her past, but he refused to let that limit her future. He was more concerned about lifting her out of the hell she was living than pushing her further down. History may have told this woman she had no hope for a better life, but not the one who offered her “living water.” Who needs you to do for them what Jesus did for the woman at the well?
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:48:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015