The redemption story of Ruth reminds me of another "outsider" who benefitted from the transforming and redemptive Grace of God.
Now, imagine you’re sitting somewhere in your present moment—just as you are—and Jesus shows up right in front of you and asks for your help. How would you react? Think about it! What would be your first instinct? You know this is Jesus—your Helper—asking you for help. And you’re probably thinking, “Jesus shouldn’t be asking me for help. He’s the one who helps me! What could I—a mere human—possibly do for Him?”
In this story, the scenario was slightly different.
Let me tell you about it… This is a story of a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman.
Lights. Camera. Action! 😉
Now, Jesus was travelling from Judea to Galilee and had to go through Samaria on the way. He came to a village called Sychar in Samaria, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. There was Jacob’s well, and because Jesus had been walking for such a long time, He was tired, so He sat down beside the well.
Not long after, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well, and Jesus asked her for a drink of water.
“Please give me a drink?” [John 4:7 NLT]
Jesus was alone because His disciples had gone into the village to buy food. The woman was shocked because, at that time, Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans. So she said to Jesus,
“You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
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 4:9-10 NLT]
Of course, she obviously didn’t know who she was talking to. So she pointed out the practical problems—Jesus didn’t have a rope or a bucket, and the well was deep. She even asked Him if He thought He was greater than their ancestor Jacob, who gave them the well, along with his sons and livestock.
At this point, I imagine Jesus smiling to Himself, maybe thinking, “If only you knew…”
To be honest, it feels like I’ve been here before—totally missing the point while trying to analyse how God will do something. LOL!
Jesus then said to her,
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” [John 4:13-14 ESV]
By now, the woman was intrigued—maybe after thinking about her life and struggles. So she said to Jesus,
“Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” [John 4:15 ESV]
But then Jesus hit her with a plot twist. He said to her,
“Go, call your husband, and come here.” (John 4:16 ESV)
She admitted that she didn’t have a husband, and Jesus gently replied,
“You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” [John 4:17-18 ESV]
Imagine her face at that moment—stunned and probably wondering how Jesus knew all that!
Realising she was talking to someone far greater than she thought, she began to ask Him pressing questions—questions that had likely been on her mind for a long time.
“Sir, you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshipped?”
[John 4:19-20 NLT]
It’s interesting how encountering Jesus makes us think of our deepest, most complex questions.
Jesus answered, explaining that true worship isn’t about a specific location but about worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth because that’s what God desires.
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” [John 4:24 ESV]
At this point, she mentioned that she knew the Messiah would come one day and explain everything. Then Jesus dropped the ultimate revelation:
“I who speak to you am he.” [John 4:26 ESV]
Just then, as if on cue, the disciples returned and were shocked to see Jesus talking to a woman. But they didn’t ask questions. Meanwhile, the woman, overwhelmed and transformed, left her water jar and rushed into town, telling everyone,
“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” [John 4:29 ESV]
She began sharing the good news—about a man who knew her story, understood her struggles, and still chose to extend grace and love. A man who didn’t condemn her but offered her living water.
What’s that point in your life where you’ve thought you couldn’t be forgiven? Where you felt like an outsider—like you’d never be accepted? Maybe you’ve tried to make changes for months or even years but still struggle. Remember, no one has the right to condemn you if Jesus hasn’t condemned you.
Like the Samaritan woman, you might feel unworthy or stuck in your story. But Jesus comes to meet you right where you are—at your own “well”—offering living water that will quench your deepest thirst. It’s not about where you come from, your past mistakes, or your tribe or status. It’s about grace—God’s grace for you.
Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of her testimony. But when they met Him for themselves, they said,
“It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.”
[John 4:42 ESV]
Do you believe in the redemptive power of Jesus? Do you believe He can save you from that circumstance or complicated situation? Whatever it is, Jesus is standing right in front of you, asking for your belief, willingness to let Him in, and openness to transformation.
And maybe you already know Him, but you feel weary or unfulfilled. Jesus is offering living water—something no one else can give. Are you willing to come to Him with your thirst and be renewed?
Take a moment to reflect. Talk to God about what’s weighing on you. Expect transformation as you connect with Him.
As we start the Grace Series in April, I look forward to hearing your stories and testimonies of grace and redemption.
Stay blessed and fruitful!
Love and Blessing Always,
Emem 💛
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