In the realm of business, seeking employment, and most especially politics, it is very often true that it is not “what you know” but rather “who you know” that brings success in those endeavors. The word “if” is a very powerful word. Often, upon it hangs success or failure and even the issues of life and death. When the operation of the word “if” is seen to be that which is in the hands of the LORD, then it is taken out of the realm of chance and seen to be the fulfillment of the LORD’s purpose. Then when that word is coupled with “who you know”, the whole unfolding of the giving of LIFE is seen.
The LORD’s interaction with this “woman at the well” is a glorious representation of HIS design in the salvation of unworthy sinners. “If” this Samaritan woman had slept late, chosen to stop at a neighbor’s house, or decided not to draw water from this well she would likely have missed this encounter. “If” the LORD had not gone through Samaria, she would never have seen HIM. All of these scenarios are quite plausible to the thinking of men. And “if” plays a vital role in the development of what to some may seem like a “chance” encounter.
Yet we are certain that it was not a “chance” encounter and the woman’s actions as well as the LORD’s own were in keeping with HIS own grand design. When she left her home that morning, the last thing on her mind was a contemplation of the predestined purpose of GOD. She likely had never even entertained such a thought. She was, no doubt, like most people who rush about the course of their lives convinced that they are the ones who control their thoughts and actions, freely determining them according to the choices of their own “free will”. For example, when Zaccheus climbed up in the sycamore tree, he determined to do so in order that he might see better. He had no consideration that the LORD had ordained the spot where the tree was and the placement of each limb upon it. Yet even in his ignorance he fulfilled the purpose of GOD to bring him front and center so that the LORD might announce to him HIS intention of dwelling at his house that very day. (see Luke 19:5)
The LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world with one purpose which was to “fulfill HIS FATHER’s will.” “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38) “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Heb 10:7; see Psa.40:7,8) While we often wonder what the will of GOD is, HE knew it perfectly, “thinking it not robbery to be equal with GOD” (i.e., being GOD) HE clearly said “I and my FATHER are ONE.” (John 10:30) “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Thus, when we read, “HE must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4) we understand that there was no external necessity nor chain of random events which directed HIS path, but rather that HE must fulfill HIS own DIVINE will. “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:39) The LORD ‘knoweth them that are HIS”. This woman had no idea who her MASTER was when she went to that well that morning, but she was completely sure of it when she left. The LORD, on the other hand, knew that she would be at that well for HE directed her steps to bring her to that destination and in HIS DIVINE providence came to that exact spot at that exact time in order to give unto her the gift of LIFE, which she had no idea she needed, nor how it could be obtained.
She was completely surprised when the LORD spoke to her. For the Jews did not freely interact with the Samaritans. (see John 4:9) Yet just like HE did with Nicodemus, HE did not answer the question which she asked. Rather HE gave her the information that she needed, even though, like Nicodemus, she manifested her complete ignorance of Spiritual things. HE spoke to her of her need of LIFE, as HE did to Nicodemus telling him “Ye must be born again.” HE told her that “if” she had known who HE is, she would have asked, and HE would have given her “LIVING WATER.” Imagine the total consternation that gripped her mind as she sought to make sense, in her carnal mind, of what HE was telling her. In the same fashion we see Nicodemus in the same state of mind as he said, “How can these things be?”
The LORD announced to her the TRUTH concerning this GIFT of LIVING WATER, HIS willingness to bestow it, and the results which its bestowal would bring. She asked for this water, but she was yet without understanding of just exactly WHO it was that spoke these words. Nothing could have prepared her for the withering demand which the LORD presented her with, “Go, call thy husband, and come hither.” (John 4:16) Just like David of old when the Prophet Nathan, said, “thou art the man”, she had no where to hide. So, she brought up her religion, just as carnal men will do, in order to dull the searing gaze of HIM from whom nothing is hid.
The LORD destroyed her god (i.e.; her religious reliance) as HE said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) The moment of TRUTH had now come and HE said, “I that speak unto thee, am HE”. (John 4:26) She, who was at one moment “dead in trespasses and sins”, was now quickened by the SPIRIT of HIM who spoke unto her. She would never be the same, she had passed from death unto life by the GIFT of HIM who is the GIVER of ETERNAL LIFE. The “if” of HIS original statement had been brought to pass not by any power which she possessed or any activity which she performed, but by the LIVING WATER HIMSELF.
We see her transformed by the renewal of her mind quite apart from her free will. The evidence of her receiving this gift of WATER is seen as “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:28-29) She had first become acquainted with a Jewish man who confronted her at the well, yet by the glorious grace of GOD and the GIFT of LIFE, she had now met HIM who is the SAVIOR of sinners and the LIGHT of the world. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1John 5:11-12)
Religious men often use the word, “if” as though the outcome of it depends upon them, yet we can see in this account with the Samaritan woman that all “ifs” are in the HAND of HIM who is “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:10-11) The SALVATION of GOD’s people is not by chance but is on purpose.
From the very foundation of the world the LORD has determined to save HIS people from their sin through the shed blood of HIM whom HE appointed as their REDEEMER. Heaven and Earth may pass away but the purpose of GOD shall stand forever, unchanged by the whims of men and unaffected by any action or lack thereof by the creature, whether they be of the Earth, the Heavens, or Hell itself. HE has clearly stated the FOUNDATION upon which HIS Kingdom is built. “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psa 118:22-23) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Cor 3:11) “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mat 16:18)
The LORD is, in the present day, still going through Samaria, looking up in sycamore trees, passing by the spot where a woman with an issue of blood timidly reaches out to touch the hem of HIS garment. HE hears the blind Bartimaeus cry out as HE passes by and HE yet heals the daughter of that woman who knows herself to be unworthy of the least of HIS mercies. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” (Isa 42:16) “IF thou knewest” “Pass me not O gentle SAVIOR, hear my humble cry, while on others THOU art calling, do not pass me by.” (by Fanny Crosby)
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