In today's Bible reading, Jesus is shown as being hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Like us, he was a mere mortal. He could have satisfied all of His own needs because He was God. However, Jesus didn't insist on handling every situation alone. On this occasion, He kindly (and undoubtedly appreciatively) permitted His disciples to go and buy food while He rested and waited by the well. And He did something that many of us might hesitate to do: He asked the dubious Samaritan woman who had come to get water for a drink.
Years went by before I realized the significance of our Lord's vulnerability. Then, He revealed it to me through a friend, along with the subtle selfishness of refusing to accept help from others. This acquaintance once attempted to help me, but I resisted as usual. She exclaimed in irritation, "You know what? You are a stingy receiver.
I noticed it right away! I had always tried to live by Jesus' famous quote, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). The issue was that I always had to be the giving in the name of being selfless.
Others want to experience the blessings of giving, yet we frequently prevent them from giving by turning down their assistance. Let's practice receiving with generosity, just like Jesus.
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