6th March 2025
We can have confidence in Jesus to know our backstory
Part of a series for Easter Preparation
‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could this be the Messiah?’
John 4:29 (NIVUK)
It was a day like any other for the Samaritan woman who had come to Jacob’s well to collect some water, but it soon turned into a day unlike any other. It was strange enough that as she went about her daily routine a man started to talk to her. Added to that the man was a Jew and she was a Samaritan, and this was an unthinkable situation in the culture of the day. But the strangest thing of all was that Jesus revealed that he knew all about her past and that he was the one who could bring real satisfaction into her life that would refresh and renew her.
By extension, Jesus knows all there is to know about each one of us. Our stories matter to Jesus, and we can have no secrets from him. He is aware of our backgrounds and understands everything that has occurred, including all the reasons and context. He knows the parts of our lives that were shameful and those that were good. He knows all the sad moments, the periods of confusion, and the times of joy. He knows when we have valid reasons and when we have made excuses for our past. He knows all the mixed motives and he knows where the responsibility truly lies, and he sees these things more clearly than we do ourselves.
The wonder of the story in John chapter four is that Jesus did not marginalise or reject this Samaritan woman because of her past and he doesn’t marginalise or reject us for ours. Jesus wants to engage with us so we understand that he can do for us what he did for the Samaritan woman, and give us real satisfaction that will refresh and renew our lives, whatever our past has been like. This refreshing and renewal came at the cross where Jesus was marginalised and rejected by humanity so that we could be included and accepted. When we trust in Jesus to forgive all sins it will be a day like no other.
As we look ahead with anticipation to the commemoration of Jesus’s death and the celebration of his resurrection, let’s rejoice that Jesus knows all about us and loves us anyway. And then maybe we too will be inspired to say to people ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could this be the Messiah?’
Prayer
Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see the depth of your knowledge and understanding, and to see that you know every detail of our lives, just as you did with the Samaritan woman and that you offer us the same spiritual water to cleanse us. Grant us the courage to share your truth with others, so they too can experience the life-changing power of knowing you. For your glory, we pray, Amen.
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Study by: Barry Robinson About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church