Invitations of Jesus Series: Episode 7 The Water

Hello, my walking friend! This is the day the Lord has made – are you glad and rejoicing in it? Have you already started on your walk? I hope so and I hope you can feel your muscles warming up and your mind ready to focus on Jesus.

Today is the 7th episode in the Invitations of Jesus series and we are reflecting on Jesus’ invitation to be known.

Our verse to meditate on today is John 4:29 NIV:

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

Is there someone in your life that you would say knows you really well? I mean, really, really well? Maybe a parent, or your spouse, or your best friend? No matter how well someone knows you, I am certain that there is no one in your life who could tell you everything you ever did. You probably can’t even remember everything you ever did! I know I can’t! I can barely remember what I had for breakfast! 

And if we are being really honest, there are probably some things we would rather not remember. Things we wish we had never done. Maybe even something we might lose a relationship over. That was certainly the case for the woman at the well whose story we read in the gospel of John. Shame, guilt, anger – I’m sure these were all emotions she knew very well. And then she met Jesus and he invited her to be known – really known, in a way that surpassed any human relationship she ever had. And all those shameful things in her life? He offered forgiveness, a fresh start, a new life in him. He offers the same to us. Jesus invites us to be known, really known, to be authentic and share even the most hurtful parts of our lives. Then he promises to redeem us, to rewrite the stories of our lives and use even the hardest parts for his glory. Wow! Could this be the Messiah? He certainly is. 

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on John 4:29:

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? I was inspired to write a poem based on the story of the woman at the well. It is titled The Water, and you can read the poem in my poetry devotional entitled, Invitations Poetry Devotional.  

You can read about the woman at the well in John 4:1-42

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus’ invitation to be known, and what that means to us. 

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being the author of life and for taking the painful parts of my story and redeeming it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to accept, by faith, the gift of living water that you offer and for the blessed assurance of an eternally happily ever after with you in heaven. I thank you in the precious name of Jesus, the one who invites me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

Is it hard to believe that God can use even the difficult and painful parts of your story for good? If so remember, with God all things are possible. Take some time to consider this now.

Do you ever have a hard time forgiving yourself for some of the choices that have affected your story? Remember God has said that he is faithful and just to forgive our sins. Take some time to thank Jesus for his forgiveness.

Can you think of a time in your life when God used a painful part of your story to bless someone else? Take a minute to thank him for turning what was meant for evil to good. 

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Matthew 4:29:

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Good job, my friend! Are you feeling closer to Jesus each day you walk with him? Are you getting to know him better? Remember, you are known to him and he loves you very much.  

Today’s podcast was adapted from my poetry devotional called Invitations. For information on this devotional, or any Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to LynneLeite.com.  You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another invitation from Jesus. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.