Unworthy

We put categories on our faith and "place" in the church.  "Good Christian" vs "Bad Christian" and we tend to use those labels  to look up to other Christians in a way that, at times, can put a barrier between us and Christ. We approach our relationship with God like a degree at a university; we have to go through the "internship period" before taking on the label of a "good Christian". While fellowship and relationship are essential; there is no "graduating" in your relationship. There are no levels. We are all at level 0 and if we know that, that's where God can use us best.


In John 3 Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, who was a teacher of the law in Israel, about being born again. He would have been considered by the Jewish people a "level 10" in experience and knowledge in religious matters.  Jesus tells him (v3) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Nicodemus questions him by saying (v4) "How can a man be born when he is old?", "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born.". So Jesus scolds him by saying (v10) "You are Israel's teacher, and do you not understand these things?" 
Nicodemus was a skeptic. A man of knowledge and of study. His heart was resistant to the wisdom that Jesus was sharing with him likely because he felt he already knew a great deal.

Jumping ahead to chapter 4 we find Jesus at the well. He is resting; waiting for his disciples to return from getting food and a Samaritan woman came to the well. To the Jews, the Samaritans were considered "unclean". They did not associate with one another; let alone share food and water. So when Jesus asked for a drink of water she said (v9)"You are a Jew and I am Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?".  Do to social status she immediately felt humbled and unworthy. This opened a door for Jesus to share with her. He explained to her about living water. (v13) "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  She didn't mock him. She Didn't argue. She didn't say "psh... there is no such thing as water you only have to drink once!"  She took a leap of faith and figuratively said "where do I sign?!". Jesus went on to tell her who he was (which was an honor) and about her own life and who she was so she would have a testimony to share.


She did too!! She immediately shared with everyone; and as a result a multitude of people were saved!

John 4:39-42

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

She was "unclean", "lower class", "ignorant", and a woman but because of her willingness to humble herself and be taught at the foot of Jesus he was able to use her in a powerful way. He was able to do more with that Samaritan woman than he was Nicodemus, a supposed religious leader of his time.


There is no graduating to a higher level Christian. There is only the Grace of the Lord. The grace that covers us all the same. There is only our humility to gulp at Christ's living water and hungerly pursue wisdom while knowing in our hearts that no matter what we learn at his feet we are ignorant. The only graduation is the one in which we graduate from this world into the presence of Jesus.

Accept God's Grace. Stand shoulder to shoulder with both your elders and those who are infants in Christ; for we should all be on our knees in humble pursuit of the same wisdom that only comes from Him.