Everyone Matters To God

The King's Church International Audio Podcast

Do you want to know an unconditional love? Do you want to know an end to restlessness in your heart and the emptiness in your soul? There is no job, person, or accomplishment that can fill that place inside of you. You need to come near to Jesus and let Him speak to your heart. No one is off limits to God. More than you may have realised God wants to help you and show you His amazing grace and favour.

One of the most well-known stories in the Bible that underlines this truth is found in the gospel of John 4:1-30 and 39-42. It still carries a significant message for us today. Jesus was a much-in-demand preacher and miracle worker in the first century in what we know today as Israel and the West Bank. Huge crowds followed Him. But some of His most powerful ministry was in one-to-one personal encounters and conversations.

Jesus was heading back to Galilee and took a shortcut through a place which Jews often avoided, called Samaria. This was a purposeful and fairly radical act for reasons that we’ll see soon. But he did something even more surprising; he got into conversation with a lady with a pretty bad reputation.

But this conversation was to change the life of this woman and her community. It began with Jesus sitting by a well and asking her for a drink of the water that she was drawing from the well (John 4:4-10). We can learn some simple and powerful lessons from this story:

1. Jesus came to show us God’s love is for all people (John 4:9; John 3:16; Acts 10:34; John 4:16-18)

2. Jesus came to satisfy us (John 4:10-15; John 6:35; John 7:37-38; John 4:25-26)

3. Jesus came to save us (John 4:28-30)

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1. Jesus came to show us God’s love is for all people. He loves people of every race (John 4:9). Historically Jews despised Samaritans. There were longstanding prejudices and often deep hatred between Jews and Samaritans. When the Assyrian empire captured Samaria, which had been the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, they deported many Jews, and foreigners were brought into the land. So the Jews didn’t want anything to do with a people they despised and who represented betrayal for their nation. They would do anything to avoid travelling through Samaria and having social contact. That’s why this woman was so startled and questioned Him. She was really saying: Don’t you know about the realities of ethnic, tribal and racial differences?’ It didn’t matter to Jesus, all he saw was the person. He loved people no matter what country or culture they came from (John 3:16; Acts 10:34). And today God is for you and loves you no matter what the colour of your skin or whether you are part of a majority or minority ethnic group. You matter to God. He loves people of every social status. Women in those times were regarded as inferior and given lowly jobs to do, much as what happens in many parts of the world today. But Jesus treated women the same way he treated men. He brought dignity, compassion and hope to women and that’s why so many women followed Him. And that’s why wherever today there is a revival of real New Testament Christianity, women play a leading role. Jesus was blind to social distinctions whether between men or women, rich or poor, powerful or powerless. And Jesus loves people despite their sins (John 4:16-18). Jesus knew her past, but He did not hold it against her. The whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to bring salvation, not condemnation to people. There’s a core problem in the world and it’s called sin. In rugby if there’s foul play, then you are sent to the sin bin. People know what’s a sin and what’s not, even though they don’t want to face it or even want to redefine it. Sin is independence from God and rebellion towards God. The Bible says when we live in sin or turn from sin there are consequences: life or death. Sin leads to separation from God. But Jesus came to take the burdens of our sins, to forgive us and give us new beginnings. He knew this woman was a sinner, and He quickly showed her that He cared about her. He knew that she was a lost soul who was empty on the inside. And that’s why Jesus came to earth, for people just like her. This story tells us very clearly that Jesus came to show God’s love for all people, no matter what they had done. He wants to remove that barrier between them and God.

2. Jesus came to satisfy us. You don’t have to be a Rolling Stones fan to know that the words of their world-famous song is the experience of so many people ‘I can’t get no satisfaction.’ So many rock stars and celebrities have seemingly got it all: money, adoration, fame, yet there is still a deep inner emptiness. And this woman at the well had lived a bit too, but there was something missing in her life. That something was someone, and He was standing right beside her. He told her how her thirst for life could be truly satisfied (John 4:10-15). Jesus promised her satisfying, eternal water. He didn’t promise temporary nourishment, but a new lease of life would well up inside her. No more chasing after momentary pleasures to bring purpose, happiness or relief. In life we can look for satisfaction in many places, like shopping, the next holiday or pursuing our career. For others satisfaction may come through addictions and momentary highs. Well, Jesus repeated His claim and promise that He alone could satisfy the deepest longings of the human spirit (John 6:35; John 7:37-38; John 4:25-26). Jesus taught that the only way to truly know satisfaction is to know God and that He Himself was God.

3. Jesus came to save us. The conversation with this woman changed her life. She was no longer lost but found. She had been empty but now she felt full and fulfilled. She had gone to get some ordinary water but she had found living water that she could feel bubbling up within her. And it bubbled over so much that she couldn’t keep the good news to herself (John 4:28-30). The Bible then says that Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for a few days and they knew that He was their saviour. Jesus came to seek and save all who were lost. He came to save us from our sins, to forgive us and give us new beginnings. He came to rescue us from all the evil power of the Kingdom of darkness and death and hell. He came not just to save some people but all people. People from all racial and ethnic groups. People from all levels of society. People who have messed up and who need to be cleaned up. The love of Jesus is for everyone. Today you need to know that God loves you unconditionally no matter who you are, where you come from or what you have done. Do you want to know that love? Do you want to know an end to restlessness in your heart and the emptiness in your soul? Do you long for living waters that will satisfy you for time and eternity? There is no job, person, or accomplishment that can fill that place inside of you. You need to come near to Jesus and let Him speak to your heart like this Samaritan woman. Read His Words. Study His life. See what He has done in so many lives. Commit your life to Him in simple prayer. And believe that as you trust Him and follow Him, you Saviour, He can change you too.