On two different occasions, in two different cities and from two entirely different people, I heard verbatim, these three words, “He saw me.” Certainly, if you know anything about me, you know I believe that nothing is by happenstance. So, when I heard these words for the third time, it struck a chord in me. I knew that it was a word that needed to be shared because the words had been in my spirit for awhile. It blessed me mightily to hear them again and I could have thrown a book at my instructor because she kept repeating the words. The more she repeated the words, the more power they evoked. They begin to take shape and form in my head and I started to excited. As she spoke and went through the motions dramatically, I realized the words were apart of her testimony and as she continued, I then realized they coincided with what I had been thinking of in terms of writing. It brought everything to life for me and I felt the words as they penetrated my heart.
First, let me start off by saying that I love how John writes specifically to the purpose of bringing his readers to a spiritual life, a spiritual awakening if you will, through belief in the person and the work of Jesus. He does an excellent job in writing this very familiar story within the gospel. He illustrates a beautiful story of a Samaritan woman who comes to get water but meets Jesus instead. Although she had not a clue that this was about to be, her day. This story has many facets and great nuggets. If we look back in the history of a people, we would have to touch on certain points in order to get the gist of what is about to take place. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews; Jewish travelers would take the long detour around Samaria to avoid contact with them because they considered them to be dogs; the Jews had no dealings with them and lastly, the Jewish men did not speak to women in public. So, this day, like any other day, she was not trying to be seen and nobody was trying to see her!
However, Jesus decided to take a direct route because He said that it was necessary and he had a need to go through Samaria. Not only did He strategically plan this journey but it was a timely consideration for ministry’s sake. Jesus makes no mistakes. Everything He did (and does)and everywhere He went was calculated; done with careful and thoughtful deliberation as led by the Spirit of God. This day, he was at that well on purpose for purpose. He went specifically to see her, this Samaritan woman, a woman whose only thought was to get water from the well and get back home.
Tired, weary and hungry by the journey, Jesus sits by the well and waited. It was about noon when the woman came to draw water and he asked her for a drink. Can you see her face and can you imagine her being in shock, yet probably also very intrigued? Wondering who is this person who’s willing to talk to me? Someone who is not avoiding me; someone who actually sees me, a woman of Samaria; a person that the Jews have no dealings with? Not to mention, He should not even be talking to me. I can hear Jesus saying to her, I'm talking to you because I see you. I see where you hurt, I see your pain, I see your frustration, I see your heartache, I see you. When you cry at night, I see you. When you are emotionally distraught, I see you, when you are alone and lonely, I see you. When you think you are on your last leg and you can’t go any further, I see you. When you are at your lowest point, I see you. I see where you are and I will meet you right where you live.
Jesus being who He is, knows how to grab hold of an opportunity and seize the moment – He proceeds to tell her about the living water and then brings her story closer to home. He gently, but wisely tells her about her life and exposes her. Why, because Jesus wanted her to know that when nobody else sees you, I see you. His willingness to grant favor and mercy caused Him to wait for this Samarian woman. He already knows all and sees all because He is Omnipresence. Wherever we are – He’s there. The scripture says that his eye is in every place (Proverbs 3:15). He didn’t condemn her but showed mercy – NOT only releasing but relieving her of her emotional baggage, her pain and stress from the life she was leading. It caused her to leave her waterpot and run to tell others about this man, the Messiah, who saw her and knew all about her life.
As I think back over my life and remember where I was when Jesus in all of His mercy, in all of His glory was waiting for me by the well in 1988. In a backslidden state, He saw me - I wasn’t trying to go back to church after being hurt, disillusioned by the church folks; tired of ritualistic and religious processes of the church. But God in His infinite wisdom, already saw my pain, He already saw my hurts, He already saw my issues and already knew my story. In spite of all that I had been through and done—He saw me. He established a connection with me that day and spoke supernaturally into my life told me I am the Lord that heals thee – I am the Lord that will make the crooked places straight, I am the Lord who supplies all your needs, I am the God of your salvation… I am the God who will restore You. He renewed my mind, restored my heart and gave me rest for my weary soul. Jesus knows all about us -- He can help us understand ourselves – so that we can see ourselves as He does.
Once Jesus established a connection with the Samaritan woman, He began to communicate with her. He spoke supernaturally into her life which broke through the condemnation of the past and the negatives of her background. He looked past the sinful heart of a woman to see a soul that needed Him to meet her at the well – where there was mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. He saw her. He knows exactly where you are and what you need... trust me, He sees you today!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde