In today's Bible reading, we see Jesus weary, hungry, and thirsty. He was just as human as we are. He was also God and could have met all His own needs. But Jesus didn't insist on doing everything without the help of others. On this occasion He graciously (and no doubt gratefully) allowed His disciples to go and buy food while He sat by the well to rest and wait. And when a Samaritan woman of questionable character came to draw water, He did what many of us might hesitate to do--He asked her for a drink.

For years I missed an important lesson in our Lord's vulnerability, until He taught me, through a friend, the subtle selfishness of not letting others help us. One day this friend tried to do a kindness for me, and as usual I resisted. In frustration she said, "You know what? You're an ungenerous receiver!"

Instantly I saw it! Quite rightly, I had always tried to live by Jesus' words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). The trouble was, in the name of being unselfish, I always had to be the giver.

Others desire to experience the blessedness of giving, but we often frustrate their giving by refusing their help. Let's learn to be generous receivers--just like Jesus.  — Joanie Yoder