Encouragement

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"But He needed to go through Samaria." - John 4:4

Just about anyone who has read the Bible knows the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. It is amazing to read how Jesus "needed" to go to the land where this woman lived. As one reads the story it almost seems at first as if the only reason Jesus went to Samaria and Sychar its city was to meet with her. It would appear there was an imperative that was the child of His love for her. As the story unfolds we see the Lord reveal Himself to her. Simply put: He came to give. Revelation as far as God is concerned is Him giving Himself.

Why? Because the loved one has this need. The purpose or imperative of the Love of God is to meet the need of the one loved.

How has the Lord loved us? How many times are we aware of Him being patient with us, forgiving us, being kind to us?

When I was but a few months old in the Lord I asked a mature Christian brother, "Which came first: God's grace or God's love?" That illustrates my immaturity at the time.

His answer was simple: "Read John 3:16." I did and I quickly saw my much-needed answer. God loved and it was seen in the grace of Him giving His Son to us. Love is the father of Grace. Just as creatures need to procreate and be, love must extend itself and grant grace. That is the nature, the imperative of Divine Love. If love were white light passing through a prism we would see its varied colors of Grace.

I would not be surprised that many of you have seen those colors in Jesus. If so it might be that you are His prism.

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