Honestly!

HONESTLY!

John 4:7-34

Verse 26: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am He.’”

One day, Jesus had to keep a divine appointment. Jesus began speaking to a woman—a Samaritan woman—of all people! You see, Samaritans [sa-MARE-i-tans] were of mixed blood. The Samaritan race was a product of Jews marrying Assyrian Gentiles. Hostility defined the relationship between pure-blood Jews and Samaritans.

Their relationship was so bitter, that Samaritans refused overnight shelter to the Jews. (The three day journey from Galilee to Jerusalem—where Jews journeyed for religious festivals—passed through Samaria). So, it became Jewish habit to travel east of the Jordan River, skipping Samaria altogether.

Ah, we see that racial prejudice existed in Jesus’ time. [PRE-ju-dis] means unfair, unfounded feelings of disgust towards one race. Jesus came to save Samaritans, too. Honestly! (Jesus always broke man-made rules). No wonder His disciples were confused when they returned to see to whom Jesus had been talking.

When will people love others the way Jesus loves us?

The opening Scripture is Jesus’ response to the woman after she said to Him, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus blew her mind, admitting that He is Messiah!

But this devotion is more than outrage over Jesus’ bold relationship with a Samaritan woman. Remember fourteen year old Michael wanting to impress his Jamaican girlfriend in Be Who You Are devotion? She criticized Michael’s wrong accent trying to sound Jamaican, in front of friends. She was honest—brutally honest—and they all laughed at Michael.

Jesus didn’t embarrass the Samaritan woman in front of His (let me remind you—Jewish) disciples. Nor did they call Jesus out in front of her (maybe so Jesus wouldn’t embarrass them)! There is a way to be honest with people that doesn’t hurt feelings. Mothers are famous for honesty. Moms want kids to be loved by others. Because of their sincere love, they try to speak words that are hard-to-hear lovingly.

For example, “That shirt doesn’t match your pants,” a mom might say privately. We count on friends to be honest, too. Real friends gently speak the truth—even if it’s something we don’t want to hear. That’s one of the reasons that Jesus is our best friend. He doesn’t get side tracked in issues that are not important.

Take Home Nugget

When Jesus gets in our face, He’s addressing deep personal issues. He wants to piece together shattered dreams. He soothes grief, offers new hope, and heals broken hearts. Honestly!

Holy Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be my best friend forever. Help me to learn from Him, and be an honest, loving friend to others. In His name, Amen.

J.D. Griffith

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