A Year 4 Transformation: Day 132-Genuine

Passage of the Day:

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” ¹⁶ He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” ¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. ¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” ¹⁹ “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” ²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” ²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” ²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he,” John 4:13-26.

Reflection:

When I read the conversations that Jesus had with people in the four gospels, He is such an intriguing character. While waiting for someone to talk to at a Samaritan well, Jesus uses a body’s physical need for water to transition into a spiritual conversation. Rather than judge this woman for her casual relationships in life, Jesus points to a time coming in the future when the Holy Spirit will alter the place where followers worship God. When you meet a genuine individual, you what to keep on talking to them as their authenticity and sincere nature make you feel comfortable and important.

Prayerful Action:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15.

Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:

Genuine people have accepted who they are as an individual, embracing their strengths and open about their weaknesses. Since Jesus meets people where they are spiritually, being genuine in your daily conversations will help you earn the right to be heard and trusted in the future. After her initial conversation with Jesus, this Samaritan bought back friends and family to meet Him, John 4:39-42. According to John, many Samaritans came to faith in Jesus due to His genuineness.

Song of the Day:

Part of being genuine is making sure that you’re not trying to put on a show by seeking to be someone that you’re not. As God has humbled me through the years, I try to be the same person to everyone that I meet. While I may be more excited when I meet someone who triggers a topic that I’m passionate about, just be yourself and seek to give God the glory.

by Jay Mankus