You Are Highly Valued

Just then His disciples came. They were astonished that He was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can He?” They left the city and were on their way to Him. (John 4:27-30)

Recently, I had the privilege of ministering in another country, which is a joy to me. In this country, as in many others worldwide, a hierarchal structure or pecking order of people exists. It descends from the most powerful person on down to the least powerful. This country’s Gypsy population is often considered to be less smart, and, on the whole, they appear to be economically deprived. Not surprising, there are preconceived ideas that contribute to the devaluing of this group of people.

It must be fallen human nature that tends to cause people to want to feel more important than others or better than others or to appear to be more powerful, more intelligent, or more valuable than others who are different. Different can mean those of a different gender, or different can mean people who are sick, debilitated, or mentally incapacitated. Different can mean a different skin color, slant of the eyes, or physical height, be it a very small stature, or very tall. We, the human race, generally tend to label people who are different from ourselves.

Not so with God. Halleluiah! He does not label us. Instead, He highly values each one of us. You, at times, may feel “different” because you’re fighting the disease of cancer. You may even have felt at times that others look at you differently. Maybe your hair has fallen out because of treatments, or maybe you’ve had a part of your body removed, and it is noticeable. Whatever your situation, maybe now you feel different!

I chose the Scripture verse you read in the beginning of this devotional because it points to the incredible respect and value Jesus placed on a woman whose life was less than exemplary. In the account (John 4), we read she had four husbands and was now living with a man who wasn’t her husband. She was of the despised Samaritan sect, and, on top of that, she of course, was a woman. What marks this account is the way Jesus valued her as a person - just as He values you and me.

You are valuable, even if you look different, are ill or healthy, or even if you’ve had a messed up life and done terrible things in the past. Your value doesn’t depend on what you look like or your health, or even on your righteousness or lack of it. Jesus sat with the Samaritan woman; listened to her, and revealed that He was the long-awaited Messiah. His attitude and responses demonstrated she was a valuable person to Him. She was worth His time and attention.

What makes me draw the conclusion that the Samaritan woman was highly valued by God, then, conclude that you and I are very valuable to God. You and I live, move, and breathe in the culture of our town, city, or country. Culture is all around, influencing how we think and how we respond to others. In Jesus’ day, men weren’t allowed to speak to women in public unless they were related to each other. Teachers or rabbis’ didn’t have women disciples or learners. Women, by and large, learned theology at home. Living in adultery was grounds for stoning, and Samaritans and Jews were at odds with each other.

Jesus, God in the flesh, opens a window to show us God’s value of humanity through His interaction with a “lowly” Samaritan woman. He shares His theology of the kingdom with a much undervalued woman. He considered her a highly valued person.

You, too, are a highly valued person. Regardless of your troubles, your past, or your present condition, you, yes, you, are highly valued by God! Just as Jesus gave the woman at the well His time, His attention, and treated her with respect, so He is here for you. He gives you His time. He gives you His attention. He values you: your thoughts, your life, your concerns.

May I suggest you sit with Jesus a while and talk with Him. He initiated the conversation with the Samaritan woman by asking for a drink from the well. He had all the time in the world to converse with her, and so He does with you. Sit with Him awhile; share your concerns; He’s more than willing to listen. You’ll find He is a loving God who values you as a person.

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