READ: JOHN 4:4-30, 39-42

When I was 18, I took part in a scholarship program to earn money for college. All the participants stayed with host families during the week of rehearsals and competition. Volunteer drivers picked us up for events and then returned us to our host homes in the evening.

On the final night, I loaded my bags into the driver’s car for the short trip to the auditorium. Impulsively, I locked the car door as I shut it. Then I realized my mistake—I had locked the car while it was running, locking all of us out of the vehicle. I dreaded walking back inside the host home to explain how I’d messed up.

But they all responded in a way I hadn’t expected. They laughed with me (not at me) and quickly devised a plan. Our driver stayed with the car, waiting for a locksmith, while a host parent stepped in to drive my group to the auditorium. That evening, nobody scorned me for my mishap, which had certainly caused inconvenience. Instead, they surprised me with grace, with patience instead of criticism. I felt I didn’t deserve their kindness, yet they extended it anyway.

This experience reminds me of John 4, when Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. She had a messy past, and it’s likely she came to the well when she thought no one else would be there. She probably didn’t feel she merited tenderness, either, especially from the Savior. Yet that’s how Jesus approached her, with gentleness and patience, loving her into relationship with Himself. He spoke to her about salvation and worship, and He revealed that He already knew everything about her. He told her the truth about her life and extended His grace.

When we trust in Jesus, as the Samaritan woman did, we receive forgiveness from all our sins and we are credited with His perfect righteousness. Because Jesus died for us and rose again, we can be counted blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22). And now, as God’s forgiven people, we are called to extend His patience, gentleness, and love toward others who don’t seem to deserve it. Like Jesus did for the woman at the well. Like my roommates did for me the night I locked us out of our car. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Can you think of a time someone showed you patience and gentleness in a meaningful way? What was it like?

• When we’re tempted to beat ourselves up over our mistakes or sins, how can remembering Christ’s gentleness help us come to Him and receive His help?

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)