Consider Jesus: The Gift of God

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Jn. 4:10 “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’”

Jesus asked the woman at the well for a simple and easy to accomplish favor, He asked for a drink of water. She was drawing water anyway, a little bit for him wouldn’t have even been as much as got sloshed out getting the water home. But she gave him an off-putting answer. Doing it would have been simpler than conversing about it, but how often do we talk much instead of do even a little? 

Jesus didn’t reproach her severely, but told her that if she really knew what God had given and what God was doing how differently she would act. She thought of what she was asked to give (not much) and was missing what could be given to her (eternal life). So many things in this life is lost for lack of asking, how much more the things of eternal life and blessings. 

This opportunity was not lost for her only because Jesus kept insisting on giving her what she almost seemed to be trying to miss. And so it is for the greatest gift that was ever given. God gave His son (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…”) and many people miss that gift repeatedly. The gift is presented to us in so many way and so many times but we often keep missing it. 

Still the Father keeps presenting us His gift, just like a patient father knowing what is best for his children even thought they are all to often oblivious to the value and need of the gift. Jesus once asked if any father would give his son a stone when he asked for bread, or a snake for a fish. If, He said, you give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give good gifts to His? (Matt. 7:9-11). Thanks be to Him that He gave and wants us to take His gift.