What do you leave behind? What have you thought about that was no longer necessary and you left it behind? Maybe it’s your regrets, your failures, or past relationships that didn’t work out. Maybe it is past wounds and pain that you experienced. To move forward in life we need to let go of some things.
Let’s look at John 4:27-30 (NKJV)-27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
I mentioned this woman at the well in a previous blog in the series on “Soul Care.” Here is a life that was dramatically changed. What is interesting about this story is that she came to this well to draw water that she needed for that day. Water was essential in those days. It was important. You couldn’t live without it in that dusty, dry climate. It wasn’t a non-essential. In the middle of her drawing water, a conversation with Jesus begins. This conversation was a divine appointment. We see Jesus going deeper into her life and unveiling some very personal things. As much as she tried to divert the conversation, Jesus kept going deeper. He is not doing it to shame her or condemn her but to bring her to the truth. A truth that would set her free. A truth that only Jesus can satisfy.
When she realized that Jesus was not only speaking prophetically but revealed to her that He was the long-awaited messiah. He offered her living water, a water that would spring up into eternal life. It’s worth noting that this Samaritan woman ultimately didn’t reject Jesus while her mail was being read. She could have gotten offended and picked up her waterpot and headed the long way back home. Many rejected Jesus as He taught and preached.
- John 6:66-68 (NKJV)-66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We see a beautiful transformation taking place in the woman’s life as she converses with Jesus. She saw love, she saw acceptance, and compassion. It was like every word that Jesus spoke, her countenance just kept brightening up. She received what Jesus had said to her. It released a joy in her that she hadn’t had in a long time. All of her relationships, disappointments, loss, emotional pain, and ridicule were finally put to an end in her mind. An encounter with Jesus changes everything. There was so much Joy at that moment she left her waterpot and ran back to her town to share what Jesus had done for her. There is something to be said about what’s important in life and what is not. Sure water is important but when it comes to eternity living water is much more important. She was willing to lose her reputation and receive a new life. This woman was empty but Jesus’ love never runs dry. The Messiah, the anointed one broke the yoke of everything that burdened this woman at the well. God is in the business of healing and restoring broken people.
Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)-18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
It is amazing how people can not let go of regrets, not let go of the past, to hold on to things in the long run that don’t matter. People who hold on to bitterness, unforgiveness, grudges, and pain. They die on the hill of non-essentials. What have you been holding on to? What has kept you from real joy, real satisfaction, and peace? Are you willing to leave your waterpot? How about your pride? Your self-sufficiency, your plans, and your agenda for the sake of knowing Christ in a personal way?
John 12:24-25 (NKJV)-24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
This woman went through a death and at the same time experienced new life. Her testimony and pure joy and excitement led her back to her community and she told all that Jesus had spoken to her about. That Jesus was the Messiah. This led to a revival among the Samaritans.
- John 4:39-42 (NKJV)-39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.41 And many more believed because of His own word.42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
- Another city filled with great Joy after the Gospel was preached and demonstrated. Acts 8:6-8 (NKJV)-6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.8 And there was great joy in that city.
This was a harvest of souls. It produced much grain because someone was willing to die. To humble themselves, to risk being hurt or offended. For their life to be exposed to the light. To receive the life-changing love of God. To receive the true living water of eternal life. The Samaritan woman’s current circumstances might not have changed right away but a change happened in her heart. That’s what is important. Don’t you think? So who are you running to or who are you running from? Are you willing to embrace the truth about your life? Will you let God read your mail? Will you let the waterpot go? If you are willing God will meet you there at the well of your decision. Life will change for the good if you receive the love of the Messiah. There will be new rivers in the barrenness of Life.
- Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV)-18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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