to stay or to go...

They were out to get him, and they wouldn't stop trying until they did. It would happen eventually. Persistence pays off. It wasn't the first time they had questioned him. Unfortunately, he was difficult to stump. No matter how hard the question was, he always had an answer. Not only was it an answer they never saw coming, as he was sure to throw curve balls each time, but it made them feel stupid. Baffled. Humiliated. If they had asked in private, maybe the response wouldn't sting near as much. But the fact that the crowd heard it too, that they witnessed the verbal show down, made each loss all the more bitter.

After much deliberation and discussion, the perfect question was posed. There's no way he could get out of answering this one any other way but their way. They would trap him in front of the very crowd that was so enamored by him. Make him look like the fool for once. And after he would be forced to eat his words, maybe then they would be satisfied.

"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesars," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 

When they heard this, the were amazed, so they left him and went away." (Matthew 22:15-22)

He did it again. Somehow, he knew. How did he know? How did he always have an answer? Calling them out, with their true hearts exposed, they left him. Amazed that He knew, and amazed at what he said. And it kept them away.

But the same thing happened on the day she met him. Doing her daily chores. The kind of chores that never end. Laundry, dishes, cooking. She would need water, so she headed to the well.

He sat there, thirsty. It was as if he had been waiting specifically for her. And although she didn't show up to talk, it appeared that he did. It was like her knew her, but she was certain they had never spoken before. Regardless of the numerous encounters she had had with men, she would have remembered him. His kind eyes, gentle ways, friendly demeanor. Men didn't treat her that way. She would never forget a man like him.

He began telling her things he knew about her. She did have a reputation, but how could it have reached this stranger's ears? How did he know so much? And although it was the truth, and something she wasn't particularly proud of, his knowledge pulled her in. The way he spoke, this man had great wisdom. She was amazed at what he had to say. It wasn't what she had expected to hear. And thrown for a loop, with her true heart exposed, this woman left him, but she didn't stay away.

She hurried back into the town with excitement. In fact, she was so excited that she forgot her water jug. Oh well, the chores could wait. This couldn't! She ran into neighbor after neighbor, saying. "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29)

They made their way toward him, this eager woman leading the way. She had found him, the one they were all looking for. It wasn't her worthiness that brought her back, but the fact that she wasn't. She wasn't worthy of his time, his attention, his kindness, or his living water offer. And, unlike the others, she knew it. But she didn't let it keep her away. Why would she? He was the answer to all of her questions. She didn't keep it quiet. She told others, inviting them to come and see the Jesus she knew. A Jesus she couldn't stay away from.

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