Church Pews: They’ve Got StoriesSample

Man Named Jesus: Never Thirst Again

I’ll be the very first to admit I’ve spent time chasing down achievements, relationships, and material things that I’ve thought would bring me fulfillment. It’s human nature to want to fill the gaps in our souls with temporary fixes in hopes that they’ll bring us satisfaction and a sense of relief from feelings of emptiness, heartbreak, and insecurity. But what happens when we continue to try to fill an empty soul from wells that will always run dry? Where do we find the kind of fulfillment and hope that doesn’t dry up and fade over time?

In the story of the woman at the well, a Samaritan woman, who Jews historically didn’t associate with, came to draw water at the well where Jesus happened to be sitting. He was waiting for His disciples to return with food before continuing on their journey from Jerusalem to Galilee. She was stunned as Jesus, a Jew, asked her, a Samaritan woman, for a drink.

The Samaritan woman continued to ask Jesus questions as her curiosity grew, leading Him to reveal to her the difference between the well water and the “eternal life” found in the living water. In John 4:13-14 Jesus explains, “‘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.’”

Have you ever found yourself trying to quench your thirst from a dry well? Have you ever tried to fill the God-sized gap in your soul with a busy calendar, material things, temporary fixes, or numbing yourself? Here’s the good news: God loves you so much and cares for you so deeply that He invites you to drink the water only He can provide: the living water. He invites you to lay down your shame and strive to live in the eternal freedom and fulfillment of choosing to put your trust and faith in Him. In John 7:38 Jesus reminds us, “‘Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’”

As the story continues, the Samaritan woman discovers that the Jewish man she’s met is a man named Jesus, the Messiah. She quickly returns to her community in Samaria to tell everyone about her encounter. As John 4:39 says, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”

This story shows the heart of Jesus as He revealed Himself as the “living water” to the least of these - a Samaritan woman. A woman known to have an imperfect history. Beyond that, Jesus used her to reach an entire community of unbelievers, introducing them all to the source of abundant life and truth that will never run dry.

Just like the woman at the well, my life changed forever when I met a man named Jesus. He’s the only source of the living water, and He’s inviting imperfect people just like you and me to never thirst again.

Pray this prayer with me: Jesus, I want to drink the living water only You can provide. Help me to seek fulfillment and satisfaction from You and You alone. I believe that You can use imperfect people like me to achieve Your will, Lord. Thank you for Your grace. Amen.