Jesus knows you, he knows us. He knows our tendencies and our brokenness.

He has a lot to say about who we really are.

We have blind spots. We don’t see who we really are or see ourselves as God sees us.

Sometime positive and negative… Think we are better than we are/Think we are worse

So we us religion to compensate. We trick ourselves into thinking that if we cover up our brokenness with rituals, studies, attendance, or other business then our brokenness will not be noticed. What is worse is we go from thinking to low of ourselves to then becoming arrogant and self-righteous.

It doesn’t work. It never has.

We all have hurts, habits, and hang ups. We all need Jesus. Jesus is ready to save you, heal you, forgive you, restore you, and show you who you are and to whom you belong.

None of this will happen until you understand the real you in Jesus.

Jesus has an encounter with a woman that was awkward and revealing. She found the real her in the real encounter. All of this happened at the home of a religious leader of the day. He was a Pharisees.

Who were the Pharisees? The word Pharisees has become Synonymous with hypocrite. It is interesting that the same can be said of the church in today’s culture. We are accused of being hypocrites. It seems the path of religion can lead down the road of self righteousness.

Intentional discipleship is moving away from religion into a real relationship with Jesus. This encounter demonstrates the difference in self-righteousness brought on by religion to self-awareness brought on by Jesus. I think you might find yourself in this account.