The contrasts between John chapters three and four could not be sharper. In chapter three, a Jewish man came to Jesus by night; in chapter four, a Samaritan woman was met by Jesus at a well in broad daylight. Nicodemus was a respected Pharisee, a stickler for obeying the Law. The woman was living in sin, probably an outcast in society. Jesus began with truth to a religious man and moved to grace. To the needy woman, he began with grace and moved to truth.
Jesus reached out to her with grace. . .
• By going where she was, vv. 1-6
• By accepting who she was, vv. 7-9
• By offering what she needed, vv. 10-15
As we live out and share the love of Christ we must, like Jesus, be full of grace to thirsty people.
