He Must Needs Go Through!

Many times we attempt to hide our past mistakes – not only from others, but even from God. Instead of believing that God can use us in ministry, we continuously beat ourselves over the head for past sins. When those feelings fester, we lose confidence in ourselves and the fact that God can use us. Many times, we even pass this off as humility, but it is actually DISOBEDIENCE and a direct LACK OF FAITH in God!

Last week, God gave me a Word about faith. God is saying, as I heard a woman of God say in a sermon, “You are not what you did!” Oh, glory to God! I am so thankful we serve a forgiving God. Nevertheless, we have not yet learned to move past those things for which God has already forgiven us. When we waddle in past mistakes and allow the enemy to speak condemnation as opposed to simply receiving conviction, we hinder the purpose of God on our lives.

Well, God is exposing our sin for this very reason. Frankly, He wants us to GET OVER IT! For every area in your life where you tell others, “Don’t go there,” God is saying, “I must needs go there!” Allow me to share this revelation with you from a very familiar story – the woman at the well.

John 4 (King James Version)

1When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
3He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
4And he must needs go through Samaria.
5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

This introduction to the story is very significant, because Jesus originally instructed his disciples NOT to go into Samaria or any other land of the Samarians (Matthew 10:5). Because of the tensions and religious differences between Jews and Gentiles, this would have been extremely dangerous, and by the view of many, a lost cause. So, it is strange that Jesus decided to take this route through a “forbidden” land. Not only that, but going this way would have added almost three days to the journey back into Galilee.

Now, Samaria is an allegory in Scripture which symbolizes sin. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus originally instructed his disciples, “Go not into the way,” but now feels “he must needs go through?” It was necessary for him to go into the place of sin in order to reconcile the lost back to God.

Hmmm. There have been places in our lives where we did not allow the presence of God – hidden places and sinful activities where we had strongholds. Our Father is going back into those places so that He can heal and reconcile those barren areas back unto Him.

Pregnancy outside of marriage…Abusive relationships…Debt…Ungodly habits – sins of your past that held a stronghold in your life must be exposed! After all, if we are still holding on the guilt of things for which we have been forgiven, the stronghold is still in place! We must be delivered and set free to do the work of the Lord! God must deal with the abuse in order to heal the marriage. He must expose the debt in order to add prosperity. He must expose the pregnancy in order to bless the seed! Glory to His name!

Saints, it’s time to get REAL with God, and allow him into the “forbidden” place. He has a work to do…through you!

6Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

My God! The word says that Jesus found Jacob’s well and rested there. He found a familiar place – a place that agreed with Him in the midst of sinful atmosphere, and He took a seat! Glory to God!

Despite your past, or even your present struggles, if you have the heart of God, the Lord can seek that place and take a seat in the midst of your mess! Jesus is the “anointed one.” Hallelujah! The anointing will minister from that place in you that is like Him, and change the sin that surrounds. My, my, my! When the spirit of God takes a seat, the room must change!!!

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus found a familiar place, took a seat, then asked for a sacrifice from the sin? Hallelujah!!! When I first received Christ, the anointing did just that! He took a seat in my heart, despite my sin and trespasses. Then, one by one, he required me to sacrifice by giving up sinful habits, cutting off ungodly relationships, and sowing into the Kingdom. Initially, my reaction was just like that of the woman at the well.

“Lord, why would you require anything of me? Why would you even speak to me, God? I’m too dirty. I’ve done this and that. I’ve disappointed you. What can you do with me? What could I possibly do for you?”

Over time, I would learn not to argue with God. Simply accept the calling on your life, and BE OBEDIENT! After all, “It’s not you,” says the Father, “but me working through you!”

Hallelujah! After all, the more mess you have, the better. Why? Because the more unlikely you are to succeed, the more glory God gets from your success!!!

10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

When we question God about our assignments, it simply says that we don’t trust him. In this portion of scripture, Jesus rebukes the woman, telling her that she should be asking Him for a drink. Even then, she still questions his authority rather than simply believing what He says.

Doesn’t this sound familiar? God says, “You’re healed.” We say we believe it, but deep down we’re thinking, “God are you bigger than the doctor’s report?” God says, “I supply all your needs.” We say, “Lord, are you able to stop my lights from being cut off? Are you really greater than this termination notice or that foreclosure hearing?”

Just as he replied to the woman, the Lord is telling us, “What you have here is temporary, but I can give you life, and that more abundantly. Even more, I can supply such that you will never need for anything.” All we have to do is ask and receive! Then, He can use us for His glory!

Why is this so hard for us to do? The answer is easy – because we feel we don’t deserve it. Well, that’s true! We don’t deserve it. Nevertheless, we have a charge to believe God’s Word, despite what we’ve done.

This is by no means an open door to sin and still expect the blessings of God. However, with a repentant heart, we live under grace and are not punished by the Law.

16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

IF YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED, PREPARE TO BE BLESSED TO BLESS!

My God, at this point Jesus asks the woman a question, which gives her an opportunity to confess her sin. Instead, she attempts to cover some of it, so Jesus calls her out.

A word of advice – CONFESS YOUR MESS! If we get open and real with God, He can deal with us without revealing our “stuff” in the open. Don’t allow God to call out your mess – just confess it and BE FREE.

The Word of God tells us to “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another…” in John 5:16. Personally, I used to have a problem with the concept of telling my faults to others, until I got this revelation – If you put your own mess out there, no one else can bring it up or hold it over your head! If you testify about how God brought you out of adultery, nobody can say, “She used to be an adulterer,” when God exalts you in the ministry. If you don’t lie about your wedding date now, nobody can figure out that you got pregnant outside of wedlock when the Lord gives you a church. Praise God!

A close friend of mine always says, “If you can confess it, you can address it!” Amen. CONFESS YOUR MESS AND GET OVER IT! Never allow the enemy to hinder your progress by bringing up your past! If you don’t call out your mess and move on, God just might reveal it just so He can prove to you and others just who He is in your life!

Confess ALL your sins to God. He already knows anyway. Then, confess your faults to men. This is your testimony.

20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Isn’t it funny that if people can’t attack your character and your past, they move to your church or your place of worship? Many times, we concentrate more on a person's denomination or place of worship than their relationship with the Father. Glory to God! Now, this woman wants to discuss places of worship with Jesus. What does He say?

“True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” Saints, we MUST know how to worship God despite the atmosphere. We need RELATIONSHIP with Him. We must know how to tap into the spirit without four church walls and an organ in the key of B-flat! It grieves my heart to know so many “ministers” of God who don’t worship Him outside of the regular Sunday service. Where is the relationship? When will we get past tradition, and learn to move in the season of God?

Saints, we MUST talk to Him. There is no relationship without conversation. Prayer is essential! We must learn to TALK and LISTEN to the Father. Hallelujah!

25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
My God, when we build a relationship with the Father, we will recognize Him. His sheep hear His voice. Why are so many of us still relying on someone to tell us what God is saying? Don’t misunderstand – there is a place for the prophet/prophetess in the church, but why are so many running after a Word? Just ask God yourself! The Word of prophesy is for confirmation!!!
27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

In verse 8, we notice that the disciples were absent during the majority of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. Here, they reappear only to question (within themselves) why Jesus is talking to her. How many times have others looked on your situation and said within themselves, “Why would God call her?” People will doubt you. So, when God is exalting you in the midst of your mess, get rid of the haters! Surround yourself with exhorters and remove yourself from people who feed the spirit of doubt and condemnation. Don’t allow everyone to speak into your life! Let God be true, and every man a liar! Praise God!

28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

After all that took place during this encounter, these few verses emphasize the purpose of it all – a testimony! Glory to God! This woman was compelled to go and tell about her experience with the Savior, knowing that she would be ridiculed, and possibly punished. Nevertheless, no one could deny what she personally witnessed. Their curiosity was peaked. As a result, they sought Jesus for themselves.

We are called to evangelize a be a witness to the lost. Even when the lost seem to be offended or uninterested, we never know which ones go back looking for Jesus after we’d shared our testimony! Open your mouth! Jesus will draw them in thereafter…

39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41And many more believed because of his own word;
42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Oh, look at God! Now, those same people who heard the woman’s testimony have met Jesus and believed on Him for themselves. Hallelujah! It’s not all in vain!
The point here is this…

Have faith to know you can be used of God, despite your past, your circumstances and your struggles. Allow your trials, failures and embarrassments to bring glory to God. There is power in your testimony. You can't have a testimony without a test, and there is no deliverance without bondage! Don’t be concerned about what you’ve been through…

“He must needs go through” your mess that others will “know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Hallelujah! Be encouraged, my sisters, and do the work of the ministry in godly faith and confidence!