The Man at the Well

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jeremiah 2:13).

As she approached the well, she saw a stranger. She knew immediately that he was not a Samaritan. He was a Jew. As he spoke, she wondered about him. His words were odd. He said he could give her living water. But how? He had nothing with which to draw from the well (John 4:10-11).


When he revealed her past and present lifestyle, she saw that he was a prophet (16-19). He could not know these things otherwise. He pierced her heart; these were sore subjects. Why was love so elusive? Why was she so discontent? Why did she feel so rejected? Rejected by men, by God? Why had God withheld from her what so many other women found so easily?


Maybe this man could answer some of her questions (20). Let's go from heart to head. Safer.


“You worship what you do not know,” the Prophet told her (21-24). Worship is about your spirit relating to God's Spirit. It's about knowing God.


True worship is not about a place, but about a Person--the God who had revealed Himself to the people of Israel. Worship is spiritual. The Father is seeking those who will worship in spirit and truth. Like me?


She explained that she knew of a Messiah who was coming (25), and he shocked her by saying, "I who speak to you am He" (26).


Just then the man's companions joined them (27). They questioned why he was speaking with her—not out loud, but their thoughts were obvious to her.


She returned to town (28). Her excited account of the man she had met aroused them to come out to see if this was the Messiah (29-30). He had indeed given her living water. Her thirst was quenched. She would never be the same.


As I studied this passage, God poked at a sore spot in me. He showed me an area where I questioned God's love because He had withheld something from me that I had wanted very badly. He told me to stop believing the lie. His love never fails. That's the truth I can rely on. His purpose for my life fits in with His bigger plan. I can't always see how my life glorifies Him, especially the bad stuff, but He promised to work it all to good (Romans 8:28).

Has the Messiah ever said something to you that poked you in a sore spot? Have you questioned God's love because He withheld something from you? Stop believing the lie. His love never fails. But whatever on earth you think will satisfy you will fail you.

Only Jesus Christ can quench your thirst. He gives living water that springs up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).