John 4:20 What is my objection?_

Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. ‭‭John‬ ‭4:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

If Jesus was knocking at my heart’s door asking me to believe, all in, 100%, what would be my first response? The objection that bubbles up to the surface is my largest obstacle.

The moment the supernatural entered the transaction, whatever this woman believed prior to Jesus’ exposure was tossed aside. She didn’t know who this Jew was, but from a lifetime of quickly assessing men, collecting clues, recognizing when something was out of place, this man standing before her presented a set of facts that were both odd and wonderful. Based on his words, she recognized he was a Jewish prophet. To her, this meant he potentially was the real deal. He was someone who was a mouthpiece for God in some manner. Little did she know that she was looking into the eyes of the eternal God. Jesus spirit was staring back at her with loving, inviting affection. His eyes and heart saying “Come.” So what is her obstacle? What is the biggest objection she had that bubbled up in her heart?

Identity and location.

There is nothing she could do about her birth. She was a Samaritan. A mixed breed, and not a pure Jew. As such, she and her people were the worst of the worst in the Jews’ eyes. They embodied a period when Judea abandoned God and was overrun by Babylon. The captors subjugated the people by requiring them to intermarry with local, non-Jewish people who did not follow the religious traditions of Israel. And Israel disowned them. As a result, the Jews excluded them from the temple and worship in Jerusalem. Even if these half-breeds wanted to embrace the faith, they could not.

They were rejected and outside the protection of National Israel. Bitterly separated and forbidden from the very influence and instruction that could lead them to salvation.

Rejection was part of her core identity, even more considering her sexual worldliness. She was resigned to being kicked and abused and being second or third or last best, it is a difficult barrier to leap over. Yet deep humility is soil that has been plowed and into which the Master may plant his best seeds. From Jesus’ perspective, the ax was already laid at the root of the Jewish tree. The real church was about to get a serious makeover. True Jews, national Israel, should have been a light to the nation, a city set on a hill. Not a group of self-focused highly protective zealots guarding their religious club. It was true that the Jews were entrusted with the history and promises of God — something they rightfully embraced. And wouldn’t the Messiah come from them? Yet, they did not follow after or reflect the Father’s heart. And here is Israel’s Messiah doing something no other Jew would do: tenderly reaching out to an adulterous Samaritan woman.

At it’s core, our Father’s would desire all to be saved. The posturing of my pride, in whatever way it comes, is not fitting for any of his children. All men have failed and need redemption. Pride elevates one above another. Humility does the opposite. And it serves. Here is Jesus, the king, shining the light of his kingdom on one of the least in the last place a Jew would expect. And he has a very compelling response…