Living Water

In John 4, we catch Jesus in the act of being graceful.

Leaving the southern part of the country, he had two options for traveling north – along the Jordan River, or the shorter route through Samaria. Even though it was longer, most Jews chose the river route, and not because they loved the pretty vistas along the way. They absolutely hated Samaritans, and would go out of their way to avoid them. Notice that Jesus had options – he didn’t have to go through Samaria because there was no other way. Ha had to go through Samaria because his mission and his blind love for all people compelled him to do so.

It was lunchtime, and the disciples left Jesus at a watering hole and headed to Taco Bell for their new Fiesta Platter. A woman came to get water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. Notice two oddities, here – the hour the woman came (alone) to get water, and that Jesus dared to ask such a thing. The woman points out the latter issue. But the former issue gives us a clue about the woman. She’s getting water at the wrong time of day. Most women would journey together in the early morning hours to get water. We find out soon why she might rather walk alone.

Shaking off the woman’s objection, Jesus breaks the ice with a theological riddle about living water. The woman isn’t catching on, and asks lots of practical questions. To help flip on her light bulb, Jesus displays a touch of his divinity by asking/telling her about her current living arrangements.

The woman doesn’t like being called out by a Jewish guy, even if he knows what he’s talking about. She’s no doubt been through the wringer for her life experience. We don’t really know if she was a victim of circumstance, or a woman of ill repute. Either way, however, such a journey often leaves you with few friends, and lots of public speculation. This helps explain why she walked alone.

She chooses to change the subject by dropping the theological whopper of a statement sure to get any Jew riled up – our mountain is better than your mountain for worshipping God. That’ll get him off her back, she thinks.

Jesus affirms God’s work through the Jewish people, but also respects her by stating truth that she could agree with. He showed her respect. Especially when he told her he was the Messiah – the first person (according to John’s Gospel) Jesus chose to tell.

The disciples get back with the nachos and stuff, perplexed by what they are witnessing. They don’t say much as they watch the woman leave, and they offer him food. He uses this for a teaching moment – he’s been fed on a level they can’t appreciate. Doing what God wanted him to do, which satisfied beyond any physical craving, had nourished him. Jesus was full.

The proof was in the return of the woman, who brought an entire village along with her to see the Messiah. They came and believed. Because they believed, the church was able to expand into Samaria after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Who do you identify with in this story?

How closely aligned with God’s grace are you – enough to leave your comfort zone and reach out with love and respect?

How disappointed are you with life so far? Are you walking alone? Do you realize that you are alone, and that God chooses people who feel the way you do to disclose himself?

How eager have you been to tell other people about what Jesus has done for you?

How ready have you been to be nourished by doing God’s will – a source that far exceeds Taco Bell?