Story
Scripture Reading — John 4:1-42
Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?
When I was in high school, some friends and I skipped school one day to go to a Chicago Cubs game. I can’t say that was the worst thing I’ve ever done in my life—in fact, given the opportunity, I’d do it again. But we did all we could to hide our “playing hooky” from our parents and school. We were sure we would be in trouble if we got caught.
Our reading today shows that Jesus had an incredible conversation with a Samaritan woman. During that talk he revealed that she couldn’t hide anything from him; he knew all about her. We might think the conversation would have stopped right there. But Jesus didn’t dismiss her, as many others would have, and she didn’t run away in shame.
That’s not even the most incredible part, though. When their conversation was over, the woman went back to her town and told everyone to come and meet Jesus. In fact, she used her own story to introduce everyone to Jesus.
We all have things in our lives that we aren’t proud of. But there is nothing in our lives that Jesus can’t forgive, and there is nothing in our lives that Jesus can’t use to build our faith in him.
What’s more, there is nothing in our life story that Jesus can’t use to introduce others to him. All he asks is that we be open to his grace and tell other about his transforming work in our lives.
Jesus, redeem our stories, build our faith in you, and allow us to share who you are in our lives with everyone we meet. Amen.
About the author — Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is Director of Faith Formation at First Church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, emerging adult, inter-generational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking, disc golfing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
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