Ex. 17:3-7, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9, Rom. 5:1-2, 5-8,
​​John 4:5-4

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well has always been one of my favorites. Maybe it’s because she has one on one time with Jesus. Perhaps it’s because Jesus shows her such kindness. Or possibly, it’s because her excitement spills out and she can’t control her desire to share her discovery with everyone. Whatever it is, it’s a story that is well known by most of us, so let’s slow down and unpack this interaction to find out what encountering Jesus looked like for her.

Let’s start with the fact that she is going alone, in the heat of the day, to collect water from the well. Most everyone else would have gone in the cool of the early morning so that they had enough water for their daily work. There would have been much laughter and conversation among the women as they completed this daily chore. But, given what Jesus says about her many marriages and current living arrangement, it’s probably safe to say that she may have felt unwelcome in that social circle. She may have been seen (and seen herself) as unworthy and unwelcome, so she comes to draw water at a different time and all alone.

But when she meets Jesus, this changes. He sees her. He speaks to her. He asks her for water. He doesn’t deny her difficulties or choices. He calls them out for what they are, but here is the difference. He talks with her as if she has value. He treats her as if she is special and He offers her grace when no one else did. And in that interaction of honest love that recognizes her failings and loves her anyway, she is changed. She is free to not only accept His gift of living water (Grace), she is given the courage to be bold and share that generous gift with those who have pushed her aside for years. She doesn’t take the grace and save it for herself because others have treated her poorly. Her heart is so transformed, that she can stop hiding and feeling ashamed and boldly steps into her new role as an unlikely evangelizer. 

God sees you. He really sees YOU. And even with each failure, sin, and shame, He LOVES you. He wants to help you see yourself as He sees you so that you can not only accept Grace, but give it to yourself and others as well. This week, as you hear stories from our writers about their own encounters with Christ that helped them recognize their identity as children of God, let Him meet you too. Come to the well and hear Him speak to you. Hear His voice as He asks you to give Him something of value that only you can give. Let His voice reach deep inside and remind you that you are valued, loved, and desired. And as you are transformed, share that with others. Let them hear His voice through you and watch what the Lord can do as you spill living water out into the dry and parched lives of others.
 
The Reflection Team is so grateful that you are a part of our journey this Lent. We are praying for you daily. We hope that the reflections this week will inspire you to remember that God sees you as precious and valuable and that you are loved.