It Really Is Free!
Friday - March 20 - Read John 4:19-26
(The daily devotions connect thematically to the sermon from this past Sunday)
John 4:19-26
19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
I recently heard a radio talk show mention that Ben and Jerry’s had cancelled their free ice cream cone day. He then made the comment: “But really nothing is free.” He had this need to point out that someone had to pay for it! This is what it means to live under the Law. The woman at the well cannot simply accept “free” grace! She is essentially saying: “Don’t I have to worship the ‘right’ way at the ‘right’ place?” Nothing is free! Except God’s grace and mercy is! In other words, God owns the ice cream! It belongs to Him. He can give it to whomever He freely chooses. True worship is not doing something the “right way,” but receiving God’s free mercy and grace. It is like getting a free ice cream cone and just saying, “Wow! Thank you!” Jesus gives us forgiveness and love for free! Human worship is the the response that is created from God's giving us His free grace and love. “Wow! Thank you, Jesus!”
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, it is truly amazing that you love me freely and unconditionally. Thank you for sending Jesus to give me the "living water" of Your forgiveness. Set me free from my attempts to earn Your love so that I can respond in thanks by showing grace and sharing love with others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.