John 4:19,
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.”
This required no great insight on the part of the woman. Jesus had just ‘read her mail.’ He revealed to her the most intimate aspects of her existence. After something like that, anyone might have considered Jesus a prophet.
She discovered that she was dealing with more than simply a man. God was conveying messages to her. What was her response? She redirected the conversation in an attempt to divert Jesus’ attention away from her. She mentioned a theological dispute over where people should worship—anything to get Jesus’ attention off of her.
We all have a propensity to construct walls of privacy around the personal aspects of our existence. We are hesitant to give anyone, especially God, access to our lives. God already knows what’s going on in there, and He wants every part of our hearts.
It has been my experience in my own life that when we erect barriers, we are in actuality erecting the walls of our own prison. We will never be set free as long as we hide from others and God.
Pastors are notorious for doing this. They have been taught in seminary to limit the amount of information and access people have to them. They are concerned that familiarity will breed contempt or that people will see they are not as perfect as “the man of God (or woman)” is supposed to be. It is a vicious trap of performance that must be broken.
Jesus took this woman back to the theme of her personal spiritual relationship. The location of worship or the manner in which it was conducted was not critical. God was seeking for persons who would open their hearts–particularly those parts that had been neglected and closed off from God—so that He might dwell there.
The only way this can be done is when people trust in the grace of God.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Blessings!
Pastor Duke
Pastor Duke Taber and his wife Sue pastor Mesquite Worship Center located at 140 Riverside Rd. Ste D. in the Sherwin Williams Building. You can join them Sunday’s at 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM and Wednesday’s at 7:00. Absolutely everyone is welcome and you can come as you are.
