‘Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.’
― Tullian Tchividjian
The Nature of Jesus – Compassion & Love
The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, “Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?”
John 4:28-29
The unnamed woman in the Bible referred to as the ‘Samaritan woman,’ was a picture of life’s struggles and repeated failures. During her time she would have been looked down upon by many and she might have been a topic of gossip among women. This may have been the reason why she came alone at evening time to draw water, so that she could avoid coming in contact with people.
The Samaritan woman had had five husbands and presently she was beyond the stage of caring about social and moral standards; the man she was living with was not even her husband.
Though she was a social outcast, in the eyes of Jesus she was valued and greatly loved. He did not shun her or brush her away as someone of least importance, but Jesus saw her real worth as His daughter. His kindness and compassion transformed her life so much that she became an agent of Christ’s love to the whole village.
Today God wants us to know that He loves each one of us and His love is beyond our failures and faults. We too are called to serve one another with the same love that Jesus has shown to us. 1 Peter 4:8 says ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’
Dear Lord,
I come to You in Jesus’ name. I thank You for Your love for me that has covered a multitude of my sins. I seek You and look to Your strength to have fervent love for those whom You have placed in my life. Amen.