This past week we continued our sermon series on Humble Confidence and looked at the account of the woman at the well in John 4. We saw an amazing picture of Jesus’ compassion and truth as He shared the gospel with this woman. He took time to share the truth of the gospel with a woman who was an outcast of a people group that was already looked down upon. Yet the Son of God took time to share the gospel and bring her into the family of God.
In contrast, in John chapter 3, Jesus spent the time talking to a religious leader named Nicodemus. He was on the opposite side of the spectrum from the woman at the well. He was well respected, looked up to, and a leader among the people. Within that society there could not have been a much larger societal gap between Nicodemus and this woman.
While they were at completely opposite sides of the social spectrum, they were both searching. While Nicodemus seemingly had everything one would need in life and this woman had very little, they were both in the same spiritual place - lost. Jesus shared the same message with Nicodemus that he shared with the woman. Jesus was direct and honest. They both needed to repent and believe in Jesus, the Son of God. They were both seeking answers, and they both thought they knew what they wanted. However, Jesus pointed them to what they really needed. Nicodemus needed to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah despite what his religious friends said. This woman needed to believe that Jesus was the Messiah despite her desire for physical water and distractions about where people should worship God.
The heart of the message to each of these seekers was the same. Jesus cut through the objections and distractions. Whether you were a respected Jew or a despised Samaritan, the only way to have a right relationship with God was through Jesus. While the objections may change, the message has not. The only way to find true fulfillment is through Jesus Christ.
Jesus preached the Gospel to all who would hear. He ministered to religious leaders and outcasts. May we follow His example. Our confidence does not rest in our abilities or knowledge; our confidence is in our Savior. The challenge is for us to be intentional with the people God has put in our lives. No matter the circumstances of life, we need to share the truth of the gospel. We can be tempted to get sidetracked by the issues of the day, but we must focus on the truth that does not change.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6