The Gospel of John introduces us to a Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a well. Jesus will say to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who speaks to you… you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” And do you know what her response is? “Where’s your bucket?” She’s looking for something from Jesus that He isn’t offering; and what He is offering, she’s not looking for.
And I want to submit to you this morning that this isn’t just her problem. On display in this woman’s response to Jesus is the human condition—which means it’s all of our problem. For many people in this room and within the sound of my voice, your deepest problem—whether you are aware of it or not—is not that God is bilking you or being stingy with you. Your biggest problem is that you are looking for something from Jesus that He isn’t offering; and what He is offering, you don’t want.
And yet, Jesus is saying to you right now—just like he said to this woman: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who speaks to you… you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Jesus knows very well how to give you good gifts. But do you know how to ask for them? He says that the only way you’ll ask for them is if you know what the gift is and if you know the One who is offering it to you.
[Hear the rest of the sermon at the Spotify or Apple links below.]
