John 4:25-26, 28-30 (ESV)

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.

Who is going to win the next big election? There will be lots of opinions—some with good explanations and some without—but eventually, the truth will be known conclusively. So, it would be when Messiah comes and can explain to both the Samaritan woman and the Jewish traveler where and how true worship should occur. Apparently, she was not convinced by Jesus’ explanation. That’s kind of funny, actually. And then he drops the bomb on her:

“I who speak to you am he.”

Quite the shocking claim, to say the least. Just then, Jesus’ disciples return to the well and are amazed to see Jesus conversing with a Samaritan woman. That was quite the shock, as well…but nobody said a word. Talk about an awkward moment! The woman decides to leave her conversation with Jesus and goes back into the city of Sychar. She left so impressed by her time with Jesus that she left her water-pot at the well. In today’s terms, it would be like leaving the groceries you just purchased in the cart at the store. To say that her focus had shifted would be an understatement.

I often say that I would love to “roll the tape” on this whole exchange when I get to Heaven. First, Jesus breaks all kinds of social morays by engaging this Samaritan woman. Second, he essentially sets her up by asking her to get her husband, thus revealing one particularly embarrassing aspect of her sinful history. As a result, she runs into the town where she has a bad reputation and tells them they have to come meet this Jewish traveler who exposed her sin and might be the Messiah? What?

“Hey, this Jewish guy talked to me at the well and called me out on my sin! I think he may be the Messiah! You need to come meet him!”

Stop the tape. Rewind. I want to hear how Jesus spoke to her. I want to see his body language and the look in his eyes, especially as he exposed her junk. I want to see the woman’s countenance change as she was convicted but not condemned. Confronted but not cast aside. If only we could communicate with the lost in such a way! We can, of course, when we are good students of our Lord’s example and operating in the fullness of His Spirit. When we love like He loves and care like He cares. When we are full of both grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). Lord, may it be so.