Imagine you were one of the women followers of Jesus during his three-year ministry on earth. What would it be like as you heard his teachings, walked by his side, and watched his ministry?
Dear sister,
We have been staying two days with the Samaritans. God has humbled me to realize my pride and prejudice to these lovely people. Why have we been so judgmental toward them? Jesus is helping me to realize my own bigotry.
His love goes beyond the social status, gender, color, age, or religious beliefs of a person.
Because he loves all, many are coming to follow him.
This profound lesson that the Lord taught me began as we were traveling back to Galilee from Judea through Samaria. It was a long journey, so we stopped to rest. Jesus rested by Jacob’s well while the disciples traveled into town to get food. As I was not feeling well, I stayed behind and was napping when I heard Jesus engaging with a woman. I was so surprised by the whole encounter. This woman was a Samaritan woman who had come down to the well to fetch water. When she arrived, Jesus asked her for a drink. Both she and I were surprised that he would engage in a conversation with her. Sister, doesn’t this seem unusual that our Rabbi would speak to a Samaritan woman? It is amazing enough when one of our Jewish men has a long conversation with a woman, but even more strange that he would engage with a Samaritan.
As the conversation went on, Jesus told her that she had already been married five times and now was living with another man. How did he know this? She was so surprised. But even more shocking was that he told her that he wanted to offer her living water which if she drank would give her eternal life! Jesus went on to tell her that he is the Messiah! Sister, of course I have been thinking this is probably so. But today he directly identified himself as our Messiah!
I know that when I am with Jesus, I feel accepted, loved, and honored in a way that no other man has shown me.
Today I saw him share this same love to a Samaritan adulterous! Sister, we never feel Jesus is looking down on us because we are women. He reaches out to touch, pray, and love those who are oppressed by society. Even the poor and sick are like his own beloved family. Truly, he is like no other man I ever met. His love is so pure and genuine. I never felt so special as I do with him. May you also come to know the precious love of Jesus.
Experiencing His love,
your Big Sister
Today’s Bible Reading: John 4:1-42; Isaiah 43:4
Today’s Application:
Do you identify with this Samaritan woman? Is there any area in which you carry shame? If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are completely forgiven for all your sins. 1 Peter 2:6 says that “the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Offer up this area of shame to the Lord and let His cleansing blood cover you. Picture the Lord placing the robe of righteousness over you which covers your sin (see Isaiah 61:10). Give thanks to Him for His grace and mercy.
Pray through Isaiah 43:4 and thank God that you are precious, honored, and loved in His sight. Go share this passage with someone you know who is struggling with shame.
Comments