She was the only one going to the well at this time of day. The lonely drudgery of the walk was worsened by her sense of brokenness. One too many times she had hoped to find someone who would truly fill that void; but, her hopes had been dashed with each divorce, each rejection, and each broken heart. She was truly an outcast—a Samaritan woman with an undesirable history. As she carried the heavy buckets, she knew that the water from the well would never quench the thirst deep within her heart. Nothing short of a miracle could satisfy the longings of her heart and soul. All hope had died long ago. As she neared the well she lifted her head and saw a man sitting there at the well. He was a Jew and the Jews didn’t walk through Samaria—it actually was dangerous after all the years of bickering. Besides the Jews thought the Samaritans were “half-breeds”, who had wandered too far from the scriptures and any association could “contaminate” their righteousness. Yet, there he sat and she had come too far and had too much need of water to turn around now.
PURPOSE AND MEANING IN HIS JOURNEY
Jesus “3 left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria”. (John 4). It was the shorter route; but, all Jews knew that there was another route that could be taken to bypass Samaria. So, why did John 4 say that Jesus “must needs go through Samaria?” I dare to say as the chapter unfolds, it was with great purpose and meaning that Christ must go to Samaria to meet a woman of great thirst. He then leads many other Samaritans to believing faith after they saw her new vibrancy and joy. He had to go through Samaria because the Father had sent Him there to save this woman.
[bctt tweet=”Jesus is willing to seek us where ever we are to quench our thirst with living water.”] It is with great purpose that Jesus reaches out to each of us. He is willing to travel to where we are to extend His invitation to come and drink from His fountains of living water. Having drunk, then we are to go and to tell others to come as well.
SHE DESIRED JUST ENOUGH TO EASE HER LABOR AND PAIN
As the woman approached, Jesus asked her for water. She was puzzled that He would even consider drinking water from her bucket. ““You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)” (John 4:9 NIV). Then begins the conversation regarding living water that Jesus had come to offer her. At first, she wants the “water” so as to ease her labor. “Let me have this water so I don’t have to keep coming to the well.” Sometimes that is how people first come to seek faith. Wanting God to just fix their circumstances—a quick fix and on their way. [bctt tweet=”God desires to fix the heart, not just the momentary need.”]
HE SAW HER DESPAIR AND KNEW HER REAL NEED
As Jesus goes on, He guides her to the truth. What she needed was to have her heart fixed—it was broken, desperate, and covered in sin’s shame. Then, her eyes opened and she realized that He was the Messiah—He was the Savior!! She left her water jar behind and ran to tell the village that the “Messiah” had come. She no longer was seeking the water, she had found the bubbling spring of living water for her spirit and soul. Jesus was all she needed. She had found the greatest gift of all. God is the only treasure that can fulfill our thirsting spirits.
WE ARE THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, DESPERATELY IN NEED OF LIVING WATER
Jesus is the Savior, the only one who can give us living water. What our hearts need is a relationship with God, our Father. Even we who know Christ as our Savior, need to recognize that He is that treasure that satisfies our soul. We need to seek His presence each and every day. Like David wrote in Psalms 63 (TLB), “O God, my God! How I search for you! How I thirst for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. How I long to find you! 2 How I wish I could go into your sanctuary to see your strength and glory, 3 for your love and kindness are better to me than life itself. How I praise you!” For we know that God has promised, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29 NIV).
What are you longing for? Seek Him, and He will fulfill every thirst. [bctt tweet=”In Christ, there is living waters of joy, hope, love, & faith. You will find all that you need”]
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The song I chose for you today is: Deeper in Love
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
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