Here the woman has already asked Jesus “give me the living water”. He got through to her! She’s ready for the “sinners prayer”. Quick… Grab the moment! Grab the win! Another one saved!

No.

Jesus knew she had no husband. But before giving the living water, He sought her honest repentance. He opened the door of her heart to expose the hidden sin inside. It was her honesty that saved her! Her admittance to her own darkness.

You see, the life of the Gospel is not about knowing the “right words” or “proper ceremony” or “approved procedures”. No… The Gospel is about reality! Touching people where they need it most through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is about pain and healing, light and darkness, messy lives getting clean, it is about reality!

If you have hidden sin, know that it is not hidden! Jesus sees all, no matter how deeply we push it under the surface. He knows, and He will expose the cancer inside in order to treat it. He will open the door for deliverance from our own darkness, through honesty. Open up to Jesus, confess those things He already sees. Give it to him.

And when we speak with others… Never be satisfied with words or ceremony. Hearts hurt from hidden sin. It takes more then “give me this water”… It takes honest repentance followed by the fruits of repentance. it’s hard work, it’s painful, it’s breaking… But then comes peace, joy, freedom!

To walk in peace, we must get real, and get Jesus. He is still the answer.