LEARNING DAILY

1 John 4:9-10, In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The sermon given by Pastor Jonathon Moore, of NorthRock Church this weekend was centered in Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. You might remember that this blog covered four weeks of teaching on the conversation between Jesus and the woman as preached at Community Bible Church. In this page of the blog, I would like to focus on an additional verse given by Pastor Moore as he related his message.

Pastor Moore pointed out that Jesus went looking for the woman; she was certainly not looking for Him when she went to the well to draw water. John wrote in His gospel that verse we all know, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son …” (John 3:16). This is Basic Christianity 101! God loves you and me so much that He sent His Son into this world to save us. We are not able to save ourselves; it does not matter how good you think you are or try to be! God’s love for people is not something that is hidden! It is revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.

In the verse above and in John 3:16, notice the word “sent”! Jesus did not just simply appear on earth – He was sent, sent with a purpose! That purpose was to “pursue you and me” (Pastor Moore). Focus on this for a moment. Being “sent” implies that Jesus existed before He came to earth; He was not created. He was sent for the purpose of giving eternal life to those who would believe in Him and who would allow Him to change them by walking on a narrow way. He came to give those who would believe in Him an abundant life by remaining in Him and walking with Him (John 10:10). That abundant life is not found in big houses, fancy cars, money or prestige in the world. The abundant life Jesus gives is eternal life which begins the moment he becomes our Savior. This alone should satisfy us. The Samaritan woman Jesus talked to was looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places. Don’t be like her. When she met Jesus, he gave her abundant life, the peace she was longing to find.

Pastor Moore stated, “Jesus is patient with us”. Can anyone else express their gratitude and their thanksgiving that Jesus never gave up on them? That’s the message I want on my tombstone – Jesus never gave up on me! I would have given up on me long ago; Jesus does not do that. I have tried to understand the depth of the love of God. I am not able to do so. It can only be understood by our heavenly Father sending His only Son to pursue sinners, to pursue a fallen people and die for them.

I wonder how much longer that patience will last. I want to encourage each person who reads this blog to take some time right now to tell your Savior and Lord thank you for saving and changing you. If there are things in your life that you need to talk to Him about concerning how you are living, do not put off confessing them and expressing how thankful you are for His forgiveness. Stop looking for contentment and satisfaction in any other place than the love of Jesus! You will not find it.