By Jon Beaty
Few things are more important to a person than their reputation. This is why some of us don’t ask for help or accept help when we need it. We don’t want others to think we’re weak or incompetent. This is why we get defensive and angry when someone accuses us of something we didn’t do. We want our character judged fairly.
The value one places on their reputation can affect how they respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him and keep His commandments.
Avoiding Humiliation
Nicodemus was a member of the esteemed Jewish sect called Pharisee. He held a seat on the Sanhedrin, Judea’s ruling council. He had achieved one of the highest positions of power and privilege a Jew could reach.
Nicodemus heard news of a miracle-working teacher unaffiliated with the Jewish institutions. What he heard interested him enough that he wished to meet this Jesus of Nazareth.
“He greatly desired an interview with Jesus, but shrank from seeking Him openly. It would be too humiliating for a ruler of the Jews to acknowledge himself in sympathy with a teacher as yet so little known. And should his visit come to the knowledge of the Sanhedrin, it would draw upon him their scorn and denunciation. He resolved upon a secret interview, excusing this on the
ground that if he were to go openly, others might follow his example. Learning by special inquiry the Saviour's place of retirement in the Mount of Olives, he waited until the city was hushed in slumber, and then sought Him,” Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p. 168.
Heart Matters
Nicodemus started his conversation with Jesus with a compliment, intent on understanding Jesus’ intentions. In response, Jesus reached for Nicodemus’ heart with words empowered to enable a person to be born again.
In this brief encounter, Jesus spoke this famous promise: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16 NKJV).
Nicodemus carried a heavy burden of truth that he had not yet allowed to transform his heart. He’s placed his confidence in a knowledge of truth, but hesitated to embrace the living and to receive the promise.
Jesus relied upon men to support his work who were not well-educated in theology and with few resources. Nicodemus was a knowledgeable, influential and wealthy man whose influence, talents and treasure might have helped Jesus in His mission. But something held him back from going all in with Jesus.
Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus planted seeds that took three years to bear fruit in his life. He kept this meeting secret in fear of how his reputation might suffer and how his life might change.
A Divine Appointment
John chapter 3 records Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus. John chapter 4 records Jesus meeting with an anonymous woman. This meeting contrasts with Nicodemus’ meeting.
This woman’s reputation made it necessary for her to draw water for her household from Jacob’s Well when none of the other women from her nearby city are around. It was in the heat of the day.
Instead of this woman looking for Jesus, this meeting was a Divine appointment. She was not well-educated in theology. She lacked influence, talent or treasure.
Unlike Nicodemus, this woman didn’t start a conversation with Jesus. Because Samaritans and Jews didn’t mingle, she couldn’t even offer Jesus a drink. So, Jesus asked her to serve Him. He didn’t do this to quench His thirst with cool water from the well, but to open up the opportunity to quench her thirst with living water from heaven.
By the end of their brief conversation, this woman’s new life began. The Word of Truth believed, received and obeyed produced a new creation.
All Jesus Asks
This woman had a confused religion, but understood she had met the promised Messiah. She had much to unlearn, and much to learn, but everything she needed she’d already received.
The taste of living water overwhelmed her thirst for well water. She left her waterpot and returned to her city to tell all who would listen about meeting the promised Christ. In John’s account of Jesus’ ministry this woman became Jesus’ first evangelist. She had no influence, talent or treasure of her own to support this ministry. She only had her life-changing meeting with Jesus, and that was enough to change her direction.
Why doesn’t the Gospel of John name this woman?
We all want a good name. A person’s name and reputation are often synonymous. This is why parents don’t name their children Judas or Jezebel.
In this story, the woman’s name is not important. What is important is the name of the person she encountered and what He revealed to her. That’s what needs to be first and foremost in our Christian walk. We have much to unlearn, and much to learn, but we are already offered everything we need.
He was and is Jesus the Messiah.
Believe, receive and obey. That’s all He asks. What’s your answer?