John 4: 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
That woman at that well believed that what she was there for was to get natural drinking water. Jesus met her there though to help her in ways she didn't even know about. She had private secrets that now no one but God could possibly know about. Something in her yearned to know the true and living God. Do you know it is a gift to thirst for truth? Not everyone cares about God or spiritual things. In this instance, Jesus uses the ordinary substance of clean water to share the truths of eternity with her.
She misunderstood that he was referring to some kind of magical water - that quenches thirst. Jesus uses this point to bring her to the realization that alone is Messiah - the Christ - the Saviour. Their discussion deepens as Jesus tells her to go get her husband. She says " I have none." but the truth is she does not want to reveal her situation.
Jesus uses a word of knowledge about her situation to tell her the secrets of her heart. She really has had 5 husbands and this one she isn't even married to. She realizes his words are direct and accurate. she confesses that he is a prophet. Now the secret matters of her heart are revealed - her true longings for God. She asks where she should worship, here or on the other mountain. She believes perhaps region is the answer - she appeals to him for a religious answer. Jesus answers her most directly with these words.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
She exclaims she wants this - to truly worship God in spirit and truth. she realizes it isn't about place or religious tradition but about knowing God. Jesus reveals to her His identity as Messiah and she suddenly becomes so overcome with joy that she runs into town evangelizing saying she has met the Christ.
The deepest yearnings of someone's heart are not often revealed to anyone. The yearning for God and to know eternal life are often hidden away because people know they are unworthy of true fellowship with God because He is Holy. Only by using the prompting of the Holy Spirit, can we know what to use as prompts to get people talking about Christ. Most people want to know the true and living God but they either believe they know Him and worship a false God or serve God on their terms or they don't believe they are worthy.
Only we who know that Jesus is Christ and that are lead by the Holy Spirit can make a difference in these people's lives. It is not by might or by power. It is not with mere words of man's wisdom that we can bring them to Christ. Pray before you speak with people. You may have God reveal keys to you of how to win that person to Christ.
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