“If” is a mighty big, little word. When looking to the past, and combined with “only,” “if” can contain a lifetime of regret. When looking to the future and spoken with expectation, “if” can speak into existence mountains of hope. “If” can be the pivot point upon which history turns for the better or for the worse. “If” speaks of what might have been, and yet, it also speaks of what might become. “If” contains all the possibilities of the universe.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that if she had known the gift of God, and who she was speaking to, she would’ve asked Him for and He would have given her living water. She had free will, but Jesus told with certainty what she would have done because He knew her heart. Jesus knew that she regretted her past and she longed for something better. Jesus knew that once she knew him and understood the gift of God He offered, she would embrace salvation. God’s gift was righteousness that came by faith in Jesus. It brought her forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God the father, and gave eternal life. Jesus told her of the opportunity she had missed, but also of the opportunity that remained. Jesus introduced Himself and gave her the good news of salvation through faith.

The Samaritan woman could have focused on the “if only” of her past regrets, but instead she looked to the hope of salvation that was hers if only she chose to believe. When Jesus introduced Himself to her and offered the gift of the Holy Spirit, she did not immediately understand. In spite of her questions, she believed and experienced a radical rebirth.

In a predetermined, predestined life, “if” would be a tiny meaningless word. However, in a life lived with choices created by a genuine God-given freewill, the importance of the word “if” is gigantic. Jesus was right, once she understood who He was and what He offered, the Samaritan woman chose to believe. Salvation is promised to everyone, if they do the same.