In John 4:1-15, we read that Jesus was weary, hungry, and thirsty. As the Son of God, He could have met all His own physical needs. He could have gotten His own food to eat and water to drink. But Jesus did not insist on doing everything for Himself.

On this occasion His disciples had gone to a nearby city to 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 the subtle selfishness of not letting others help me. One day a friend tried to do a kindness for me, and as usual I resisted. In frustration she said, "You know what? You're an un generous 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 my attempts to be unselfish, I always had to be the giver.

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