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Jesus, The Living Water

We get a beautiful picture of Jesus in John 4:1-15. After a long walk from Judea, weary and exhausted, Jesus rests at a well. Next, a Samaritan woman comes alone to draw water. Although the story here seems pretty straightforward, there are some significant cultural insights to consider. 

A woman alone at a well in the middle of the day says a lot about her. A village well was usually a sunset destination. Her being alone most likely means the Samaritan woman faced rejection from much of her community. Knowing this, Jesus, although He was a Jew and she was a Samaritan and a woman, does the unthinkable. Jesus not only spoke to her but also engaged her in a meaningful, deeply needed conversation. 

Imagine your community looking down on you, ignoring you, and then on what appeared to be an ordinary day, the kindest man acknowledges you. Her reaction? Complete surprise. The woman questioned Jesus’ kindness and reminded Him of her ethnicity. She focused on social prejudices and law, but our beloved Savior revealed His heart of grace. Jesus offered her a gift impossible to refuse—Living Water! A water with unending fulfillment.

Water in the Bible symbolizes the cleansing of sin (Hebrews 10:22). Jesus is the Living Water! Jesus offered to cleanse the Samaritan woman’s sins and gave her an opportunity to begin a new life with Christ. 

Have you felt the pain of rejection, disappointment, or loneliness? Do you sometimes look to the world to quench your soul’s thirst? When we do this, our lives eventually feel like a dry, parched desert. Jesus wants us to come to Him—the true Living Water! His Spirit is like a fresh, spring of life within us, giving the gifts of joy, peace, and contentment. 

The Living Water within you empowers you to live a transformed life! You can live free from sin and experience abundant life because of the kindness of Christ.  

Consider: 

Why do you think Jesus was willing to talk with the Samaritan Woman? 

When you think of water, what comes to mind? How is water vital to life?

What do you think Jesus meant by saying He could give “living water”? 

Prayer: 

Father, quench my soul’s thirst in You alone! Please allow your Living Water within me to flow with abundant life. I surrender my words, actions, and thoughts today. May all I do overflow from your Living Water within me.

*As we near the end of this study, keep up the good work with your Jesus Is … journal and reflect on what you’ve learned so far.