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If You Knew

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." John 4:10 ESV

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and his disciples have gone off to get food. You’ve heard this story before and its several applications dealing with gender, with outcasts, with evangelism. This statement is early in this conversation. But look at these words, “If you knew...who it is that is saying to you….”

Who is this that is jousting with her? It is not just Messiah, not just a rabbi, not just a Jewish male who wanted to slake his thirst. No this is not just a human, regardless of how we label him. This is God, her God who wants nothing but for her to ask for relief. This is Israel’s God but not only Israel’s God but the Creator God, the only God. He is her God.

Her God who wants to give her “living water.” For her, healing, acceptance, reconciliation, and refreshment. This he says that she only has to ask - to see and to ask. Let’s not though get stuck on her expected response, but let’s focus on who it is that wants her to ask. You have heard and possibly seen the pictures of Jesus at a door, knocking and waiting for someone - for you - to answer the door. OK, but let’s focus not on us, but on who it is at the door. This is God who wants this woman to see and to ask. Right here in the midst of her daily, routine life is anticipating, hoping even that she would but ask and be given refreshment for her life right her, right now.

Jesus says the same thing about us - if you only knew who it was that asked, you would ask and he would give you living water.

Want that water?

Ask.

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