Arctic bear

Life in Edited by Margie E. Burke Grace

by Lara Cook

North Side Baptist ChurchHOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must Are you contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column thirsty?must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said each set of 3 by 3 to her, Will you give me a drink? boxes must contain (His disciples had gone into the the numbers 1 to 9. town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me (Answer appears elsewhere in this issue) for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans). Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. John 4:7-10 She had been rejected, shamed and shunned by the other women so she came to the well when the morning rush hour was over. Not only did her reputation precede her, but she was a Samaritan, a nationality that Jews traditionally despised and disrespected. She did not want to face the stares and hear the faint whispers, so instead of coming in the cool of early morning, she comes in the heat of the day. And who does she run into? The King of Kings Himself. Jesus already knew this woman and everything about her. He was actually waiting for her, knowing she was coming. Jesus, the only one who is even worthy of condemning her, did not offer condemnation or shame. He spoke to her, asked for a drink, and then offered her His living water. We can tell three things about this woman: She was stuck –She knew how others saw her and she was and was resolved that things would never be better. When you have only known hopelessness for so long, it is scary to hope.

She was embarrassed and ashamed – She was hiding from everyone else. She didn’t try to pretend to be something she was not. She had been condemned by others. Today, she might be the one sitting on a pew or in a chair in worship all alone, in the shadows, or in the corner, not wanting to draw any attention to herself.

She wanted to be different – She wanted out. She wanted the living water that Jesus offered. She was thirsty for Christ and for the first time in her life she felt hope! She believed His words and knew that He could change her life. She left her water jug behind and ran back to town, bounding with joy to tell everyone about the man she met that could tell her everything she ever did, and still offered her His living water.

Jesus knew this woman, but I know her too – we all do. I have felt shame and condemnation, been embarrassed and avoided people. I have, at times, resolved that things are what they are, and I have no control to change them. Anyone who has ever sinned knows what she felt. But Jesus and His living water is where hope springs forth. We can’t change anything in our own power but with Jesus all things are possible. The living water is there for the taking, for the those who are thirsty. God loves us, values us, and pursues us. All we have to do is recognize our need for Him, confess, repent, and accept His forgiveness and the salvation His living water brings.