When I was in high school many, many years ago, I had a classmate that was so shy and intimidated by anyone that came around him. He was very timid and would go off by himself to avoid being around anyone. He was afraid to talk with any other students.
One day during our lunch period I went over to where he was and talked with him. He didn’t turn away or leave and we eventually became friends. After a few days we gained a few more students that joined our group and he felt comfortable having someone to talk with. He was a friendly person, all he needed was someone to befriend and believe in him.
I am reminded of the story about the woman at the well as told in John, chapter 4. She was an outcast among her peers because of her many marriages and loose living. She went to the well during the middle of the day alone to draw water since all the other women would go in the morning. We can only assume she did this because of her reputation in the community.
Jesus came to the well when she was there and asked her for a drink of water. This was out of the ordinary because He was Jewish, and the woman was a Samaritan. It went against custom for a Jewish man to speak or associate with a Samaritan woman.
Jesus saw her as a person, and it didn’t matter about who she was or what her circumstances were. He was always eager to engage people and it didn’t matter about their history. As they talked the conversation went from physical water to living water, which Jesus told her He was the source. She knew that the Messiah was going to return one day but had no idea she was speaking to Him at that very moment.
Jesus saw her as she was. Even in her turmoil Jesus spoke to her. She repented of her sin and trusted Him as her Lord and Savior. Today, any of us can do the same thing she did. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, confess your sins to Him and ask Him to come into your heart. It does not matter who you are or what your circumstances are, He is always willing to listen to you and accept you as His child if you come to know Him as the Living Water that gives us eternal life.
As for my friend in high school, I don’t know where he is today. This was during my teenage years and yes, I did invite him to church, but he never showed up. I can only hope and pray that He knew or knows Jesus personally and I will again see him in heaven.
Reach out to someone today. Don’t look at their circumstances or lifestyle, befriend them and tell them about Jesus. Just as the woman at the well, they may know about the Messiah, however they may not know Him personally.
