Security Gives Freedom

John 4...The Woman at the Well..
I read a lot of good things in Matthew Henry's commentary regarding Jesus' encounter with this woman. But what sticks in my mind are her own words to the towns people, perhaps Council Men, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" What an astounding statment from this woman, a woman of bad reputation, scorned, looked down upon. She must have been oldder, having had 5 husbands. She probably had spent her whole life trying to lood good in the eyes of others, trying to cover up and keep hidden what she really was. She went to the well not with the other women or at the times they went but by herself, an outcast. She may have even been religious, she was aware of the dispute between Samaritans and Jews about where to worship God. Perhaps she tried to hide behind her religious knowledge. I guess I could speculate a lot about what her life was like and what her thoughts were. But then she met Jesus, someone who knew all about her, knew all the things she had tried to keep hidden. And in meeting Him and His unconditional love and unending grace she was able to face what she was and be free! I can see the chains of her bondage falling off as she ran from the well to the village and told everyone, "I met a Man who could look at my deepest need, this gaping wound in my soul and He didn't condemn me or turn me away. He healed me with Himself. You need to meet Him too!"
I know of nothing else but the grace of God that enables me to face myself for who I am and who I am not and enables me to move on, again all by His grace. I need this grace every day of my life. I never outgrow my need of it. And what a message of hope for others; not 'be like me or do what I do but there is One who wants to meet you right where you are. He will love you, accept you just as you are, forgive you, clean you up, dress you in spotless garments of white and set you on your feet to continue walking in that grace.' That's a security that comes unconditionally from Him and isn't based on my performance! It's freeing! Without chains!
"Oh Sweet Jesus I can't thank you enough for your nothing-else-like-it kind of grace that I can never use up. Please help me to extend that grace to myself today and to others as well, just one old beggar telling another one where to find food. I love you."
'O Cross of Christ, forever sweet, here I may fall at mercy's feet, a beggar, vile and full of shame, and rise a Princess in Jesus' Name' Psalm 113:7,8