This time of year everything is geared toward the celebration of Christmas. Some of my favorite childhood movies are playing right now- Snoopy, Frosty the Snowman and Rudoph the Rednosed Reindeer and I shouldn’t forget “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. The last two movies have a plot in them that we all secretly long for- to be loved, wanted and have a purpose for existing.We live in a world that is broken because of sin. When sin entered the world people would sin and be sinned against thus bringing hurt, brokenness and separation. Brokenness is a result of a continual deep hurt within a persons being that they really lose their purpose for living. People in this condition feel like they are living in the “Land of Misfits” where all the toys are broken and discarded instead of being repaired and reused or in the case of Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life” he is pushed to the point of contemplating suicide because $8,000.00 was misplaced by his uncle. You may feel unloved, have no purpose for living or even worse you are contemplating suicide. Jesus entered the world to love sinful broken people. Please read John 4:1-26. Here is a lady who came out to draw water when no one else would be out at the well drawing water. She was a Samaritan-she had been married five times and was now just living with the man. Now she would encounter Jesus at the well and her life would be forever changed. Jesus started a conversation with her by asking her for a drink of water. He did this for her benefit. She made the point of pointing out to Jesus that Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans. Again Jesus hold’s out to her the gift of God-himself and the offer of living water. Jesus told her everything about herself and didn’t condemn her. He just offered himself and the gift of God-living water to her. This lady was in trouble-she was broken by sin. Her own sin and the sin of others toward her. Jesus just offered her God’s goodness in the mess that she was in. She along with the rest of us need God’s goodness with the mess that we are in. She nor any of us deserve God’s goodness but when Jesus gives us God’s goodness it is called grace. When we are in trouble and Jesus helps us it is called mercy. As Jesus ministered to this lady the love of God would cast out fear and she would receive this love of the Lord in her life. He gave her instructions on how to worship God the right way- in Spirit and in truth. As this lady received living water from Jesus her sins were washed away. Her brokenness would be healed. Jesus’ love would change this lady’s purpose for living. If she were in the “Land of Misfits” she would be welcomed into a new family, would receive the help she needed, and have a purpose for living again. I don’t know what you’re going through this Christmas season but I do know this, that if you have been hurt Jesus will help you. If you are broken and lonely Jesus will love and restore you. Come to Jesus this Christmas and accept his gift of life.
Categories: Weekly Sermon