John 4:15-18

In our verses for today Jesus begins to beautifully flesh out for us the truth of Proverbs 11:30 in an effort to win the heart and mind of this woman at the well:

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Prov 11:30 (NIV)

Going forth in the wisdom that God alone provides, the righteous are as trees of life. Continually displaying and offering the fruit of God’s teaching, reproofing, training in righteousness, prayer and example – the righteous are ever pointing the lost soul to the Savior of their soul - communicating with both word and deed God’s wisdom and His love to those who do not know Him – literally becoming as God’s message in the flesh..

“Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak. Before God’s message can liberate other people, His liberation must first be real in you. Gather your material carefully, and then allow God to ‘set your words on fire’ for His glory.” Oswald Chambers

This woman was in need of liberation just as every soul is apart from Christ. Coming alone to retrieve water from the well in the middle of the day indicates to us perhaps that she was not surrounded with the companionship of many female friends – duties are lighter when they are borne with others. Most likely, the women would go together to the well in the early morning hours. According to her own words she desired not to have to keep coming to the well to draw water – perhaps she did not like the task; perhaps she did not like the rejection. More than likely our protagonist was ostracized by the women of her town due to her lifestyle and therefore she was sitting pretty for the hope and acceptance which Jesus held out. Whatever the reason, she wanted the satisfaction that He was offering.

Next, Jesus sets Himself to awaken her conscience so that perhaps she would be open to the remedy of grace He was to offer her – one does not know their need to get well until they have a realization that they are sick. Knowing all things, He simply says to her: "Go, call your husband and come back." Her response to Him is true yet misleading: “I have no husband”. Jesus then closely brings the conviction to her conscience - mildly reproving her present state – she was living in adultery. Her response was intended as a denial yet sweetly Jesus interprets it as her confession.

“And this is the method of dealing with souls; they must first be made weary and heavy-laden under the burden of sin, and then brought to Christ for rest. This is the course of spiritual therapy.” Matthew Henry

20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20 (NIV)

“Stand with confidence, serve with compassion, speak with care, submit with contrition, and share with concern. A believer should be what God wants him to be, do what God wants him to do, say what God wants him to say, sense what God wants him to sense, and share what God wants him to share. Spiritual maturity involves every aspect of life.” Bible Knowledge Commentary

“The love of Christ both wounds and heals, it fascinates and frightens, it kills and makes alive, it draws and repulses. There can be nothing more terrible or wonderful than to be stricken with love for Christ so deeply that the whole being goes out in a pained adoration of His person, an adoration that disturbs and disconcerts while it purges and satisfies and relaxes the deep inner heart.” A. W. Tozer

Just as Jesus’ words revealed to the woman at the well who she really was, the Word of God reveals to us who we really are. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:12-13 (NIV)