Jesus at the Well

Scripture: John 4:5-26

Song: O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Jesus broke down barriers. Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. But this Jew did and the Samaritan woman was shocked. The Law did not forbid contact—only tradition and prejudice did. Jesus was swayed by neither. His disciples ought not to be.

Jesus encouraged higher thinking. The Samaritan woman spoke of water but Jesus turned the conversation to living water. She was not accustomed to speaking about spiritual things. But Jesus led her there. Jesus’ followers ought to be conversant in such matters.

Jesus was patient with ignorance. The Samaritan woman was slow to catch on, but Jesus led her gently along until finally she caught at least the gist of the conversation. We need such patience with the novice, the immature, those who say like the Samaritan woman, “Give me this water, so I will not be thirsty.” He was giving her drink and she didn’t even know it. Lead someone to the well.

Jesus spoke to the need. The woman needed spiritual drink, but she needed first to know how dry was the well from which she’d sought to slake her thirst. She’d been an adulteress and advocate of her people’s religion, not knowing that “salvation is from the Jews.” Jesus brought her to herself, a journey she was not too eager to make as indicated by her defensive remarks. But he brought her nevertheless. People can be told what they need. And people need to be told—gently, kindly, compassionately—but told nevertheless what they need to be right with God. Tell someone today.

Jason Moore