Jesus offers us a different kind of water.
I recently re-read the account of the woman at the well in the Gospel of John. This story has always been one of my favorites in the Bible because it’s such a true account of the nature of Jesus. It’s found in John 4:1-41. Jesus was on the way to Galilee and has to go through Samaria. He just happened to be thirsty and alone, along the way, and stopped at Jacob’s Well for a drink of water.
Please keep in mind that Jesus was the son of God; He likely could have snapped his fingers and an angel could have given Him water. We have seen angels provide for basic human needs in the Old Testament. I think Jesus was looking for more than a drink of water. He was looking for a woman, a specific woman, this  Samaritan woman.
The Jews hated the Samaritans. So, of course, that’s where Jesus would head. Social labels meant nothing to Him. These were simply labels on humans from humans. He wasn’t interested in our judgement of each other. Popularity and social status didn’t play a part in the kingdom He was building.
He just happened to be by himself; where were all of those disciples? Coincidence? Not likely. This Samaritan woman comes out in the middle of the day to draw water. She is an outcast of her own people. She’s kind of sneaking down in the middle of the day, to avoid judgement from her own kind. Verses 17 and 18 tell us she has had five husbands and isn’t even married to the man she is currently living with. Scandalous!
This is the stuff of the Jerry Springer Show today. I can’t imagine how trashy it was considered then. So, not only does Jesus stop for a drink in Samaria (land of the not good enough folks), alone; He seeks out the lowest of their society, an outcast. Also, throw in that she was a woman to boot; men had better things to do at the time than to chit-chat with the likes of women.
Yet, here He was. The Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind, having a chat with the lowest of the low. He tells her everything she has done and talks about living water and then tells her in verse 26, “I am the Messiah!”
Now, Jesus had been hanging out with the “religious people”, and they had given him nothing, but grief and a million questions. They continually tried to trip Him up. Even when the disciples caught up with Him, they were shocked, but didn’t have the nerve to ask why He was talking to her.
What do you think this poor, branded, downcast woman did? She left her jar by the well and ran and told everyone in the village that the Messiah was right there, with them, at the well.
Just a few verses back, she’s sneaking to the well to avoid human contact. One conversation with Jesus, and she’s completely renewed, no longer ashamed of her checkered past, telling as many people as possible, with the confidence of a child of God, that Jesus is here.
Did they believe her? Yes. They went to the well and met Jesus themselves and many believed. They begged Him to stay and He stayed for two days with them, with society’s outcasts.
We have all had some of the woman at the well, feeling. “I’m not good enough.” “I’m not smart enough or eloquent enough.” “I’ve done too much in my past.” We are wrong. Don’t take it from me. Take it from the Bible. Take it from Jesus.
He makes us worthy and good enough, so let’s dust ourselves off and spread the Good News. You are loved. What do you think about the Samaritan woman? I’d love to hear from you.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy đŸ™‚