03 25 08 THE TIME IS NOW!

Jesus had just finished doing the unthinkable: he held a conversation with a Samaritan woman. Here was Jesus, the Redeemer of the Jewish people, speaking with the outcast and despised people; and a woman at that! He met her at the community well and asked her for a drink! Out in the public eye, He not only engaged in a caring and passionate conversation with her, but He revealed His true identity to her, offering her His salvation and forgiveness.

“‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (the one called Christ);
‘whenever he comes, he will tell us everything.’ Jesus said to her,
‘I, the one speaking to you, am He’.”
(John 4:25-26 NET)

The disciples were “shocked” the Bible tells us. Then they became concerned with His health and strength, trying to get Him to eat something. All these physical concerns (where we travel, whom we’re speaking to, what people think about us, even the food we earth) are so small when considered before our relationship with the Lord and responsibility to Him. His ways are not our ways. His timing is not always our timing. Our reputation is definitely not of importance:

“My food is to do the will of the One who sent me and to complete His work.”
(John 4:34 NET)

God’s work is going on all around us. Planning is good and necessary. Without a plan we plan to fail. But just as necessary is the urgency of the here and now! We can’t pass up a chance to share Christ today because of tomorrow’s plans; we don’t want to miss a chance to quench the spiritual thirst of a parched soul because we need to eat; we can’t worry about our reputation and shame the Gospel and the name of Christ either! This is not a time for tradition, tolerance, political correctness, or even exclusive club memberships. THE TIME IS NOW!

“I tell you, look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest!”
(John 4:35 NET)

As a result of the bold moves of Jesus, many in the Samaritan village believed on Him and were saved and followed Him. They invited Him to stay and He did. He no doubt saw a need and met it. Maybe He even changed plans! And because of the flexibility of Jesus to understand the Father’s will and adapt to it, many more believed!

“He stayed there two days, and because of his word many more believed…”
(John 4:40-41 NET)

The Samaritans (who believed) would have been passed over if all went according to tradition or political correctness! How will others hear without being told? Sometimes…many times, we need to throw away the book and follow The Book! THE TIME IS NOW!