Known, Yet Loved | John 4:39–42

Opening Remarks: Woman at the well again…I guess I’ll keep coming back till the well runs dry…plan to deal with an aspect of it one more time this evening too…But I’m excited about a certain element this morning that I couldn’t get away from.

READ God did big work in a little village. But theres a statement the woman makes that I’d like focus on this morning. Title: Known, Yet Loved. PRAY

INTRODUCTION: I recently came across a name I was unfamiliar with - George Motz. He’s an expert on the eternally essential subject of hamburgers. You might say he’s obsessed with them.

Made a documentary film about the history of the hamburger in the US

Hosted a Travel Channel show called Burger Land

Owner and head chef of Hamburger America in Manhattan

Written wo books:

Hamburger America: One Man’s Cross Country Odyssey To Find The Best Burgers In The Nation

Great American Burger Book: How To Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers At Home

He inspired that old McDonald’s character, the Hamburgler. Just kidding!

He’s kind of like Wimpy from the cartoon Popeye. Obsessed with burgers.

Recent interview I saw of George Motz: He estimates he’s eaten over 40,000 burgers

But what surprised me the most in the video I saw is, he was eating a cheeseburger and you would have thought it’s the first one he’s ever had. That’s how much he was enjoying it.

My first thought is, “How is he not sick of hamburgers?”

I like hamburgers, but after 40,000 of anything I might be ready to move on with my life.

I’m fairly amazed when someone can do something repeatedly or for a long period of time and continue to do it with passion.

Like Walter Orthmann, the Guiness World Record holder for longest job at the same company. He worked at a textile company in Brazil for 84 years and nine days.

Maybe slightly less impressive is my wife, who can eat a peanut butter sandwich every day for lunch and never get tired of it. No jelly, just peanut butter.

The reason that’s amazing is, It’s a Human Thing To Grow Tired of The Same After a While.

Which is why I commend married couples who stick it out for decades. My parents celebrated their 50th last year. My wife’s parents will do the same this year. Some in this room have been married longer than that.

The reason it’s impressive is, there’s an underlying tendency in us that, The more knowledge of something or experience with something that we have, the less we tend to appreciate it.

People get tired of jobs

College students quit early

Athletes get burned out

Married couples take a spouse for granted after time

The more we know about something, the less we appreciate it.

Some have said it this way: Familiarity breeds contempt.

It’s a human weakness. The more we know, the less we appreciate.

But is that a godly trait? Let’s consider an example from the life of Christ.

I. Jesus was intent on speaking with the Samaritan woman

Jesus went to Samaria on purpose

Jesus talked to the woman deliberately

Jesus knew all about her and confronts her about her sin

Jesus offered her eternal life

All we can conclude is that Jesus wanted to know this Samaritan woman.

He valued her soul enough to pursue her, then welcomed her when she believed.

This principle comes out this text: Jesus values every soul.

He pursues sinners. People we wouldn’t expect a holy God to give a chance. People like you and me, actually. He’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

His purpose for coming to earth was to offer eternal life to sinners.

That’s what He was referring to in John 4:32 when he said “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” He was referring to offering people eternal life.

Jesus Christ came to earth for reasons beyond the physical. His meat was to change lives through the Gospel.

His priority was offering eternal life. It was more important to Him than eating or having a place to lay His head. It’s the reason He came to earth.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

No wonder Jesus was so intent on talking to this woman. That’s what He came to do.

Look at another statement He makes in Vs. 34:

John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

The Lord wasn’t going to be happy until He completed His task. And He did. On the cross He cried, “It is finished.”

From the time He was born until the time He died, His purpose for coming to earth was to save sinners. To offer eternal life. To let people know that sin brings despair but there is hope in God.

His passion for souls turned into a harvest of amazing proportions. In this text alone, dozens of Samaritans from believed.

II. Jesus’ pursuit of one turned into a pursuit of many.

Notice what happens:

Jesus talks to the woman - Vs. 14 He offers her eternal life.

The woman believes - Vs. 28 “She left her waterpot.” Which means she found something better than water. Longer lasting than a drink. Something better than she came for. And the only requirement was her placing her trust in Christ.

The woman immediately goes to town to tell others - Vs. 28-29 If you’ve had genuine heart change, the natural response will be to tell others about the source of your transformation. If it’s real, it won’t be like pulling teeth. It will happen naturally.

Vs. 39a, Vs. 41 The Samaritans believed. But their faith didn’t end with that decision. It was just beginning.

They wanted Jesus to stay and teach them - Vs. 40

One more sure sign of conversion is hunger for God’s Word. “They BESOUGHT him that he would TARRY with them: and he abode.” Besought means to ask in a personal and humble way.

Their desire to be around Jesus and spend time with Him and get to know Him was initiated by them. If someone could change their lives, of course you’d want to know all you can.

How desperately do you seek to know the Lord? If you’ve been converted, that desire should be present. If it’s not.

Many in this Samaritan village place their faith in Christ. Jesus’ Pursuit Of One Turned Into A Harvest Of Many

III. Think about all reasons this took place:

Jesus was on a mission to offer eternal life

Jesus deliberately went to Samaria to talk to this woman

Jesus took the time with one sinner because every soul matters

Jesus was willing to confront her about her past

Jesus was willing to set aside comforts like food so even more might believe

Jesus changed His schedule to stick around Sychar and teach and preach and just be with them

Lives were changed because of what Jesus did.

So that’s one category: “The Because”

This happened:

Because Jesus went to Samaria

Because Jesus took the time

Because Jesus was all about His Father’s will

Because Jesus was intent on finishing the work of God

All of these things happened because of what Jesus did

But there’s an element to the story that I don’t want to miss.

Yes, all these things happened because of what Jesus did.

But all these things happened in spite of what Jesus knew.

What did the woman tell the villagers in Vs. 29? “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did.”

Vs. 39 “Which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

Think about all the things she could have said about Jesus.

“A Jewish man talked to me. Can you believe it!”

“He taught me all about real worship.”

“You should hear what He has to say about living water.”

And all those things are true, but what convinced her that He was Messiah. What did she run to the village talking about?

She went saying, “He knows all about me. He knows all about me, but He still offered me eternal life.”

“He knows all about me, but He’s the first man I ever met that didn’t look down on me.”

“He knows all about me, but (CATCH THIS), HE LOVES ME ANYWAY.”

That’s what she couldn’t get over. “He knows all about me! He knows all I’ve done! He knows my past. He knows my history. He knows what all of you think about me. But this man Jesus, the Messiah, still loves me enough to offer me eternal life.”

“COME SEE A MAN! THE MESSIAH!”

Not because He does miracles.

Not because He can teach us about worship.

Not because He was nice to me.

“Come see a man because He knows all about me yet He loves me anyway.”

“He told me all that ever I did.” Consider that phrase.

Now, we believe the Bible is 100% reliable, it’s the accurate and preserved Word of God

But in their conversation, did Jesus actually tell this woman every single thing she had ever done?

Well, the Bible doesn’t say that. But we do believe it accurately records what she said in the village.

She runs to town saying, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.”

Sometimes we speak like that.

“We tell each other everything.”

“We know everything about each other.”

That’s not technically true, although it may seem that way.

For this woman, the reason it seemed like Jesus told her everything she’d ever done is because the one thing he brought up was her biggest issue.

She had terrible relationships. She had multiple husbands and the man she was with wasn’t her husband.

To her, the fact that this was brought up meant Jesus really knew her. Everything.

Jesus knew the worst things about her. So to her it really did seem like Jesus told her everything she’d ever done, because He told her the worst things she’d done.

What’s Interesting is His knowledge didn’t make her mad

It seems these days that any time you bring up a sore subject with anyone they just get upset.

Don’t talk about religion or politics at family get togethers. Why? People get offended.

It happens in churches too. “Don’t mention something people don’t want to talk about or they’ll leave.”

We are overly sensitive people. Our culture doesn’t like truth.

But here’s Jesus talking to a woman at a well He just met bringing up her biggest failures and she’s not mad.

How would you respond if someone you just met brought up the worst parts about you?

We wouldn’t like it. Except for this fact: The One who knew her best was offering her eternal life.

You’d expect Jesus to offer eternal life to someone deserving. But not someone undeserving.

But that’s what Jesus did. And that’s what stood out to her.

He didn’t offer her eternal life it because she deserved it. He offered it because she needed it.

That’s the case with all of us. We’re all sinners. None of us deserve eternal life. Yet Jesus offers it to all of us.

But, in doing so, He confronts our sin. But He doesn’t only focus on the wrong. He also expresses His proof of love. Which is a cross. Yes, we must admit sin to be saved. But the biggest message of the Gospel is not our sin. We’re condemned already. The biggest message of the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here’s the truth that the woman appreciated and we should too: The One who knew her the best loved her the most.

Us humans tend to do the opposite. The closer we get to something the less we appreciate it. The more we know, the less we love. But with God, the closer He gets, the bigger it gets

Illustration: Human - Walk closer to someone, heart goes down, God - Walk closer to someone, heart stays up

APPLICATIONS

Marriage - So many marriages are failing because this principle doesn’t get practiced.

The longer you’re married the more knowledge you have of someone. But in this day and age, as soon as you find out something you don’t like, that’s the beginning of the end.

That’s a reflection of human nature. Our natural instinct is to be less excited the more we know.

But godly isn’t based on knowledge. It’s based on choice. The marriages that last overlook and forgive the things they know and simply choose to act in a way that’s best for their spouse.

Friendship - How many friends would you still have if your darkest secrets were broadcast on these screens this morning?

Hidden sins. Unseen thoughts. Concealed attitudes. Words you’ve said under your breath. Stolen looks. Sin done in secret.

For most of us, the more knowledge others have, the more likely they are to leave.

But you know you have a true friend when they’ve seen you at your worst and they love you anyway.

Most people don’t. People write each other off all the time. But biblical Christ-like love knows and loves anyway. I didn’t say condones. I said chooses love. Jesus, “By this the world shall that ye are my disciples. How? By your love.”

Churches - When people first come to a church they think everything’s perfect. But just wait. Get to know us. You’ll soon realize we’re just people. Maybe even knuckleheads.

Rather than cut and run the first time you don’t like something. Or someone does something to you that’s an offense, the mature response is to work through it or simply let it go because it’s not a big enough deal to leave what Christ died for. The church.

If your mindset is to stop loving the more familiar you get with something, be ready to be running from things your whole life. Because everywhere you go is full of people who are as flawed as you are.

Here’s the primary reason we should choose this principle:

Knowledge of us didn’t drive God away from us.

In fact, He came closer in spite of what He knew about us.

He was born on earth even though He has full knowledge of your worst thoughts.

He pursued you in spite of knowing what kind of person you are when no one is watching.

He died on the cross for your sins even though He can read your mind and has heard your worst words and been grieved by the worst things you’ve said about someone else.

Think about the worse thing you’ve ever done. God saw it. But that knowledge didn’t drive Him away. He still loved us with a cross.

God knows everything about you and loves you anyway. There’s eternal value in having a friend like that.

Psalm 139:1–4 “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.”

Only God knows all about you. And only God still sent Jesus to die for you.

The One who knows you the best loves you the most.

He died for every sin you’ve ever committed, knowing every sin you’ve ever committed.

Responses:

1. Salvation

The only right response to someone who knows you best and loves you most is to accept their gift of eternal life. That’s what Christ offers.

2. Closeness

When someone loves like this, you just want to know them more. That’s how it ought to be with us and God. Nothing should drive you to seek and spend time with God than recognizing how much grace He extends in spite of what He knows.

4. Reciprocation

Meaning, what God does for me, I should do for someone else. At work. At church. In my family. We’re going to learn things, and it won’t always be pretty. But if we’re going to be like God, we ought to treat others the way He treats us. With grace and patience and love. Not ignoring sin, but also not writing someone off when we learn something less than flattering about them.

I think about my marriage: No one knows me like my wife. But no one loves me like my wife. Except…except for God. Which makes the point. When you know a certain amount about someone and you love them anyway, that makes you like Jesus Christ. Which is the goal.

Christian, you are saved because Jesus died for your sins. But you are also saved because He loves you in spite of your sins. So we should treat others that way in return.

Don’t know you’re saved, this truth should drive you to the foot of the cross. He knows all about you yet loved you enough to die on a cross for every sin you’ve ever committed.

He Who Knows Me Best Loves Me Most.

That’s a truth worth responding to this morning.

Conclusion: