How Jesus Looked For the One

As the torchlight flickers across the walls, James and John are in deep conversation, and Peter is gesturing with his arms trying to convince Andrew of something. They are gathered because the Master has decided it is time to return to Galilee. More importantly, he wants to walk through Samaria. Because of the tensions between the Jews and Samaritans, the stakes are high. Jesus is seated at the head of the table, looking from face to face. His gaze captures each heart. His calm gathers their calm.

The next day is a long walk. The disciples enter the village to get food while Jesus rests at a well. They wonder why Jesus sent them to be surrounded by Samaritans. When they return to the well, their questions turn to shock. Jesus is talking to a Samaritan woman. It is so unthinkable. Everyone is speechless. Suddenly, the woman leaves her water jar and begins running to the village. Within minutes, the villagers are streaming out to see Jesus.

Over and over, you see Jesus looking for the one. He took time for children, lepers, tax collectors, and fishermen. When it was time to reach an entire village, he looked for a sinful woman and asked her for a drink. He could have ridden into the village on a stallion or arranged for his followers to carry him on their shoulders like royalty. But he took a long dusty walk so a weary woman could see his weariness. He became thirsty so her thirst could be quenched. He humbled himself and invited her into a relationship.

You hesitate to help a stranger or share the gospel because you see yourself at the story’s center. But it’s not about their relationship with you. It’s about their relationship with Jesus. The one you are speaking to is trying to quench their thirst with things that can never satisfy. They need to know about the water that is a wellspring of life. They need to be set free from sin and shame and understand why their Father is looking for them.

How Jesus looked for the one is how you look for the one. You go on long walks that test you. You become thirsty so you connect with the thirsty. You ask: What is your name? Why are you anxious? What are you looking for? You watch as eyes open in wonder. You rejoice as someone begins to run.

Henry Blackaby beautifully summarizes the encounter at the well: “Evangelism is not a program. It is a by-product of a healthy, growing, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. Jesus did not have to teach the woman at the well how to witness. He redeemed her, and she brought the whole city to see the man who changed her life!”

As I walk with you, Jesus, I dare to believe your words. Help me to see the lost, lonely, and broken through your eyes.