As we conclude our look at the first part of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, we reach a surprising turn. Just when the woman seems interested in this "living water," Jesus abruptly changes the subject to confront her sin. Today, we'll explore why confrontation is a necessary part of experiencing God's grace.
John 4:15-18 "The woman said to Him, 'Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.' He said to her, 'Go, call your husband and come here.' The woman answered and said, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You have correctly said, "I have no husband"; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.'"
Have you ever been in a conversation that suddenly took an uncomfortable turn? That's exactly what happens here. This woman, intrigued by the offer of living water, is suddenly confronted with her broken life.
The shift seems abrupt, even unrelated. She asks, "Where can I find this water?" and Jesus responds, "Go call your husband." Wait, what? What does her relationship status have to do with living water?
Everything.
Before anyone can partake of living water, they must understand their need for it. Not just because their soul is barren, but because their soul is sinful. The Great Physician knows that before we can receive the remedy, we must acknowledge our disease.
Every life is an open book to God. Hebrews 4:13 tells us that "everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Jesus knows everything about this woman—more than anyone else in her life knows, more than she knows about herself. Her life is marked by a pattern of failure and sin.
But notice Jesus' approach. He doesn't press and probe maliciously. He's not trying to shame her. Like a good physician, the pain he inflicts is only to bring her to the remedy. He's being kind, even in his confrontation.
Why does Jesus bring up her sin at all? For two critical reasons:
First, before anyone cries out for the grace of God, they must come to grips with their own sinfulness. No one sings "Amazing Grace" unless they believe the ensuing line "that saved a wretch like me." This is fundamental to the gospel message.
Second, as we'll see later, God is going to use this woman to reach others in Samaria. She might have thought, "God is only using me because He's not aware of all the sin in my past." But Jesus makes it clear: He knows everything about her, and He's still offering her living water.
Maybe you've been drinking saltwater all your life. It looks the same as fresh water, but it's killing you slowly. Jesus offers something different—living water that cleanses you from sin and gives you life to the fullest.
But how can Jesus offer this? How can He quench spiritual thirst? The only way Jesus can ever quench someone's spiritual thirst is because of the thirst He experienced on the cross. In John 19:28, after hours of suffering, Jesus says, "I am thirsty." The One who offers living water became thirsty, experiencing the alienation and abandonment of the Father as He absorbed the full measure of God's wrath.
Jesus died not only to cleanse you of your sin but to give you life—abundant, overflowing life.
1. Why do we often resist having our sin exposed, even though it's necessary for healing?
2. How has confrontation with your own sin led to greater appreciation of God's grace in your life?
3. Is there an area of sin you're currently hiding or justifying that you need to bring before Jesus?
Stay dialed in,
Jonny Ardavanis