Quiet Time Coaching Episode 505 | New Thing Series — Part 60 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Demand” | Malcolm Cox

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 505 | New Thing Series — Part 60 | “The Samaritan Woman’s Demand” | Malcolm Cox

 

Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

 

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Samaritan woman. Today we explore her demand.

 

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”” (John 4:10-15 NRSV)

 

The Samaritan Woman’s Demand

• She finds the conversation with Jesus confusing
• But she also finds it mesmerising
• She discovers something she needs
• She takes Jesus at his word
• She demands what she needs

 

For Reflection

The Samaritan woman could be forgiven for being somewhat confused by this conversation with Jesus. It ranges over a number of deep concepts using metaphors, involving ancient history and present day needs. Jesus knows that she is thirsty for something more than physical water. She grasps something of his offer. Yet it cannot be a complete understanding at this point. Nonetheless, she asks — perhaps even demands — that he fulfil his promise. Much like many of the disciples of Jesus, her grasp Jesus’ nature and what he is on Earth to do develops bit by bit. What is especially inspiring about her is that she is willing to state what she needs and ask for it even though not everything is clear. Our lives as disciples are like this. It's often the case that we cannot see how God will work through the things going on in our lives and around us. Yet we can ask for what we currently see and currently understand and currently sense that we need. And in doing so, we can be confident that God hears us.

 

Why not take some time today to ask God for the things that you know you need, even if you are aware that you don't have the full picture of what he is doing?

 

Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

 

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"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

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