Living Waters from A Well That Won't Run Dry!

The Jews and the Samaritans despised each other so much so that when Jews from Galilee went to Jerusalem and vice versa they deliberately bypassed Samaria. Taking a longer route down the mountains to the river Jordan, they would walk along the river and around Samaria. Imagine that even a short cut through Samaria could not entice those who preferred the inconveniences of a longer route just to avoid contact with Samaritans. Jesus did the opposite, He would walk through Samaria. This simple yet deliberate act demonstrated Jesus' revolutionary and reconciliatory spirit, one that broke barriers, prejudices, divides and stereotypes. One that embraced inclusivity of all.

On His way to Galilee, Jesus walked through Samaria and had come to a place called Sychar, near Jacob's well. It was noon, tired from His journey, he sat by the well. At that moment a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well. It was an unusual time to come for water, but she had her reasons for it. Jesus longed for a drink but he had no container or rope with which to draw and drink from. "Will you give me a drink? He asked. Startled she answered, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman, how can you ask me for a drink when Jews do not associate with Samaritans?" John 4:7-9. "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living water" Jesus stated. Imagine a conversation of politics and stereotypes ensuing over a cup of water? Imagine how a simple request to meet a need could arouse such ingrained passions? But more than the 'party-political' exchange Jesus invoked and implored a much deeper yearning, more than just a physical thirst but one that could only be quenched from a well that produced Living water, an endless infinite supply of 'hydrational nourishment' to one's spiritual being. Noticing that He had no cup and visibly oblivious to His inferences, she asked, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep, where can you get this living water?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to Eternal life." John 4:13. Still undiscerning, she says, "Sir give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water" John 4:15. "Go call your husband and come back Jesus proposed. "I have no husband", she replied. "You are right when you say you have no husband, you have had five husbands and the man you are with is not your husband", Jesus said. Immediately the woman recognised Jesus as a prophet and began questioning Him about the difference in belief between the Samaritans and the Jews, to which mountain they should worship, the one in Samaria or the mountain in Jerusalem. Jesus clearly defined who the true worshippers are, those who worship the Father in Spirit and Truth for they are the worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship in Spirit and in Truth. "I know the Messiah, called the Christ will come and explain all these things to us to which Jesus replied, "I, the one speaking to you- I am He!"

The woman left her water jar at the well and went back to the town and related her encounter with Jesus. Her transformation so evident in her newfound boldness, no longer hiding in shame from her scorners. Jesus no longer in need of physical refreshments declined the Disciples offer of food when they had returned to meet Him at the well. Frowning on His interaction with a Samaritan woman they urged Him to eat. "My food said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work!" Observe the juxtaposition of physical and spiritual need, want and fulfilment. Jesus came through Samaria on purpose. Samaria represented the harvest, the opportunity to harvest souls for His Kingdom. He overlooked the divisions that separated Jew and Samaritan. He represented the bridge, the Saving Grace. He came to the well without a container because He is the Living Water. She came to the well with a water jug, she represented the vessel through which He would replenish an endless infinite supply of His Living Water. She became an authentic witness, she returned to the well many times with many people testifying to her liberation from sin, for the thirst from within that was finally quenched when she met Jesus. The Samaritans had asked Jesus to stay in their town to teach them and so He did and they all believed for they saw and heard and believed for themselves that He was the Messiah, the Christ!