{"id":34842,"title":"The Position of Need - The BELIEVE Blog","description":"Women of the Middle East avoid the heat of midday by fetching water from the well early in the morning or even the late evening. It is also commonplace for women to complete this task in groups for safety and because the jars they used are heavy. You can imagine help would be welcome when you want to carry multiple litres on your head!\n\nDespite this, the woman in John 4 goes to the well at noon. Alone.","content":"

\"v9ils0aqptlevzg3yzcsqrrleatoeoh9vvlqsdwnewvstaha.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\"\u201cThen cometh he to a city of Samaria\u2026Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.\u201d John 4:5-7<\/p><\/blockquote>

Women of the Middle East<\/strong> avoid the heat of midday by fetching water from the well early in the morning or even the late evening. It is also commonplace for women to complete this task in groups for safety and because the jars they used are heavy. You can imagine help would be welcome when you want to carry multiple litres on your head!<\/p>

Despite this, the woman in John 4 goes to the well at noon. Alone.<\/strong><\/p>

\u201cJacob\u2019s Well\u201d, like majority of wells in this ancient part of the world, had no bucket. Everyone took their own leather sack with them and these can still be purchased in the markets in places like Aleppo. When not in use, a traveller can roll this sack for storing and we can assume that Jesus and his followers had at least one of these. However, in this story, Jesus was alone at the well<\/strong> and presumably without the means to draw water. Jesus had a plan though.<\/p>

Jesus strategically put himself in a position of need.<\/strong> He waited by the well. Despite the fact that it was midday and therefore unlikely that anyone would venture out. But, as we know, he was not waiting long before a very peculiar interaction began.<\/p>

A woman, a samaritan woman, comes to the well at midday by herself. Jesus should have politely withdrawn<\/strong> to a distance of at least 20 feet to indicate that is was culturally appropriate for the woman to draw her water. But he does not and, amazingly, the woman continues toward the well and Jesus.<\/p>

Then Jesus makes the mind-blowing request<\/strong> in verse 7, \u201cGive me to drink.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

Now, I could dive into the conflict between Jews and Samaritans and\/or all the cultural and social taboos that Jesus absolutely blasted here but I\u2019d like focus on one particular point<\/strong> from this story. And that is the position of need<\/em>. <\/p>

Jesus, the son of God, humbles himself so low that he asks for water from an unclean samaritan woman. Instead of beginning their interaction with telling the woman why she needs Him, Jesus says that He needs her.<\/strong> <\/p>

This is a continuation of how Jesus came into the world.<\/strong> He did not come as a grown man, independent and capable, but rather as a child with all the intense needs that you and I had.<\/p>

The first \u201cmission trip\u201d of Christianity is where Jesus sent out his disciples in Matthew 10:5-10. The disciples are instructed to, \u201c\u2026not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts\u2014 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff\u2026\u201d <\/em>Instead, the disciples were to put themselves in the position of need<\/strong> to whoever they had interaction with. <\/p>

This breaks the classic cycle of pride in the giver and humiliation of the receiver as it usually is with western missionaries going to impoverished communities. Rather, what is given is the Gospel<\/strong> and what is received is true hospitality.<\/p>

Jesus requested the help of Peter when He needed somewhere to preach from. Peter offered his boat. Jesus had no food to offer his disciples or the crowd of 5,000+ people but when the young boy offers what he has, Jesus accepts the help.<\/strong> On and on the examples continue throughout the four Gospels. Kenneth Bailey writes, \u201cThe self-emptying of Jesus was so total that he needed to be served in his serving.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

In stating his needs to the woman at the well, Jesus elevates her self-worth, affirms her dignity and gives her the all important position of giving in order that she can receive blessing<\/strong>. After all, \u201cIt is more blessed to give than to receive.\u201d <\/em>Acts 20:35<\/p>

Where can you put yourself in a position of need today? It\u2019s well worth a time of prayer and reflection. Please, make this time for yourself and the Lord will be your guide.<\/strong><\/p>

Jacob Shepherd<\/p>

CEO & Co-Founder | Revival<\/p>

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