The Gift God Has For You

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: John 4:7-10 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:7–10 NLT)

Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. She was surprised! And that’s probably an understatement! Here are some factors in her surprise: 1) Jewish people didn’t engage with Samaritans unless absolutely necessary, and then with a sense of disdain and superiority. 2) Jewish men didn’t speak to women in public. They especially didn’t speak to Samaritan women. 3) And they double-especially didn’t ask a Samaritan woman (unclean to a Jew) for a drink of water.

And, of course, Jesus didn’t care about any of that. He was tired and thirsty and she had the means to draw water from the well. And he was above all that “Jews are better than non-Jews” stuff, just like you and I are above all that “Christians are better than non-Christians” stuff. Right?

His request caught her completely off guard! She expressed her surprise that he would talk to her. Then Jesus surprised her even more! He said, “If you only knew the gift God has for you! And if you only knew who you are speaking to! You would ask me!” Stay tuned, friends, because she does ask him and he does give her the gift God has for her.

I’m not the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. But I want the gift God has for me! I’m thirsty for living water! I’m hungry for the food that satisfies my soul. If this resonates with you today, please pray this prayer with me.

Prayer:

Father, I’m hungry and thirsty in my soul! I have so much, but I want more! I’m blessed beyond any reasonable expectation of blessing! You have been so good to me, all the days of my life. But today I am thirsty for living water and I’m hungry for the bread of life. Please fill me, refresh me, renew me, and satisfy my hungry and thirsty soul! In Jesus Name!