Don't Give Up

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“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in a man.” John 2:23-25

The footnote in my ESV Study Bible printed by Good News Publishing  tells me that this statement by Jesus is an introduction to the stories of Nicodemus in Chapter 3 and the Samaritan woman in Chapter 4. Jesus knew their hearts and interacted with them both that way, with knowledge of them and love for both. Nicodemus was obviously accepted by the religious establishment and the Samaritan woman most probably was not. Yet Jesus had the same standard of measurement for them both - truth and love. 

My husband and I just had a nice overnight visit from a couple we have known for years. In the course of catching up together we also caught up regarding mutual friends and reminisced of past experiences. All of us are in the last half of our sixth decade so we have a bit of perspective.  From the time when we were all much younger, raising our families and attending church, the surprise now of the many couples who were looked up to as so spiritually powerful that had divorced was surprising and the fact of some couples that had some turmoil and issues obviously observed by others to work out in their marriage, had stayed married all these years. And from these conversations I just thought about something that I hope will encourage others to not give up.

Don’t feel less than, such as the Samaritan woman must have felt. After all, she went to the well on an off time most likely to avoid the crowd. And don’t feel self-satisfied that you have achieved much to be proud of and looked at religiously. For you know, in Matthew chapter six, that the people who gave to the needy to be seen, and those who loved for people to know they were praying regularly and fasting had simply one type reward - human acceptance. There was no other reward to be had.

There is a scripture that tells us the following…”Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”   2 Corinthians 10:12

Jesus knows the truth of us and He will never leave us or forsake us. His guiding hand becomes more and more apparent to me as I age. So don’t give up if it's tough right now and it looks like you are not measuring up. You plus nothing else are enough for Him.