Worthy of the Calling

John 4:6-10

6. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was the sixth hour.

7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto here, Give me to drink.

8. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that said to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Here is a woman of ill-repute. We typically hear how this woman had been used and cast aside by these multiple husbands, and men and that may well be true, but it could be that she chose this life of loose morals. Regardless of how she became a woman of ill-repute, there is no mistaking that she was a woman without a moral compass guiding her life. She was so looked down upon by those in Samaritan society that she went out to draw water at noon instead of in the morning or evening with the other women. It was in this normal, everyday event that something unexpected happened… someone was at the well. Not only was there someone at the well but it was a Jew. And equally unexpectedly, he spoke to her and asked a drink of her. The unexpected visitor at the well was surprising enough, but then to have him speak to her and ask a drink of her hand caused her to be beside herself with nerves. You can tell that this sinful woman did not feel worthy to draw up water for Jesus by her response to his request; yet Jesus did not withdraw his request. Perhaps her voice shook a little in her response to this strange Jewish man asking her for a drink, as she felt and realized the calm power in his words. But then he said something even more confusing, he said if only she would have realized who he was she would be asking living water of him. As she stood there contemplating what he said she wondered about this living water. She knew that you had to have water to live but he said “living water” which is completely different. What is living water? Whatever it is, she decided that she wanted it, not understanding that it was a spiritual water and not a physical water. But then this Jewish man went on speaking, telling her of her past and speaking of the future. This little encounter changed her life. She went from being a woman with a past full of sin and an equally sinful present to be a woman with a future. This future that she had wasn’t just any future but it was a future full of hope, full of redemption and transformation. She could hardly contain her excitement at the prospect of this future. This excitement and enthusiasm carried her back to her city and she told EVERYONE of this Jewish man who she KNEW was the Messiah. She spoke to everyone, even those people that snubbed her, even those women that gossiped about her, even those men that used her… She had a hope for a life that was different. She had a dream of a future where there was forgiveness and a better life. How could she not share with everyone about this man who could bring such a transformation to a wrecked life? As Jesus came into the city, all of those people that had snubbed and used her came to see this Jewish man. Not only did they come to see him but they believed in him before he spoke a word because of her story. Those that didn’t believe came to believe on him because of His words. There was such a revival in this Samaritan city that they asked Jesus to abide with them for two extra days. All because Jesus asked a shunned woman for a drink.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus asked her for a drink? Don’t you think he could have provided for himself water? He went forty days without food and water isn’t it possible that he could have lasted until his disciples returned, rather than asking a shunned woman for a drink. But Jesus had a purpose, a mission, a desire to give this sinful woman hope. Hope for a life above sin. Hope for a revival of the heart. Hope for forgiveness, for redemption, for salvation.

Has Jesus asked you for something? Perhaps for you to let down your vessel and water his sheep? Or to draw up water to feed the harvest field? Maybe it is for you to go out of your way, put forth a little effort, or stretch out of your comfort zone in order to bring a revival to your city? You answer him with, “but Jesus I can’t…” or “Jesus, I am not worthy because I haven’t been living right” or “Jesus, isn’t there someone who is more capable.” Yet Jesus doesn’t withdraw his request because he knows that you can do it, you are worthy because he has called you and you are indeed capable. His calling isn’t based on your past (or your present for that matter) but on your willingness to obey. His request doesn’t come because you have talent or some redeeming quality but because He wants to bless you and give you hope for a future. So when Jesus sees you in your less than worthy condition and asks you to come up higher, don’t reject him but obey. For in that obedience you will find that hope, that blessing, that living water which will bring you a beautiful future.