The sickness is just a backdrop for God to reveal Himself as a healer. Whatever your “backdrop” looks like-even if it’s ugly or bad-God wants to use it for His glory. It’s time for you to focus on God and see the bigger picture. It’s just a backdrop for a greater blessing. Nothing is by accident-not even your struggle. The well was just a tool-just as God is using your issue, situation, struggle, and unique challenge as a tool to get you where He wants you to be.įriend, He’s leading you. All along, He was after the Samaritan woman’s soul. He foreknew the end result of His unconventional methods of engagement. She came to faith that day and caused many others to believe as well.įrom the first interaction, Jesus knew what He was doing. God is so intentional, isn’t He? Jesus told her all about her life and did something He had not done with anyone else: He revealed Himself as the Messiah. He used the well to lead her deeper into a conversation about faith and salvation. Well, Jesus already knew her manner of thinking. In her mind, for someone to be greater than Israel, and provide water that was superior to what came from Jacob’s well, would be quite impressive! She said in verse 12, “Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”įrom her response, it is clear that this woman revered Jacob-known as Israel. The Samaritan woman’s rebuttal brings into focus the value of using the well as a backdrop. Initially, He hinted around being someone important that could offer this woman what was called “living water.” If you skip down to verse 10, you’ll see that Jesus didn’t come right out and say He was the Messiah. Jesus, however, who came to save outcasts, didn’t care about any of that. They intermarried, produced children, got mixed up in ancient false religions and were considered impure by other Jews after returning to their homeland. She was resistant to the idea because Jews didn’t deal with Samaritans who, after the Assyrians captured Samaria in 2 Kings 17-18, became tainted by their foreign captors. While He was at the well in Sychar-a town located in Samaria- Jesus asked a Samaritan woman to give Him a drink. Its value and significance to us, then, is tied exclusively to how Christ uses the well to accomplish His purposes. That’s why scholars don’t know very much about it. As a matter of fact, it is only mentioned in John’s gospel. This is the first time we see Jacob’s well referenced in the Bible. So He sat down on Jacob’s well to rest His exhausted body. ![]() One afternoon, Jesus was tired from traveling. This often helped those He ministered to, to see the bigger picture. Jesus knew how to choose the appropriate setting as a fitting backdrop to bring His lessons and stories to life. I know He was a carpenter and not a photographer, but the Savior sure could create a vivid picture. Though the lovely people in the photo were the focal point, the picture would not have been nearly as perfect without a good backdrop.Įvery skilled photographer knows that choosing-or even building-the right set, and picking an ideal backdrop when necessary, is crucial to snapping a great photograph.Īs I thought of this, I thought of Jesus. The selected background complemented the family’s clothing and gave our church location an entirely different look, and feel. I was pleased that everything was going smoothly and took notice of how the backdrop changed the whole atmosphere of the building. In between camera flashes, the posing coach told the happy clan exactly what to do. “Say cheese!” the photographer called out as they plastered on their best smiles. That’s when I saw adorable children, a proud mom and dad-all color-coordinated-posing. ![]() On one of the days, sometime in late afternoon, I entered the building as a photo shoot was in session. They moved furniture and brought several props, as well as backdrops inside. When the day arrived for the photography sessions, staff members and volunteers entered the building to get things all set up. We agreed and allowed them to operate out of our facility. Recently, a photographer asked if they could use City Church for a couple of days to do some photo shoots for children and families in the community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |