We were waiting for our luggage at the Ben Gurion Airport, and a Moody Grad School student came to me and asked where she could get some water. She was very thirsty. I had saved a small bottle of water from our international flight, and I offered her the only bottle of water I had left.
Result: I was thirsty and became physically sick—very dehydrated. For the next 48 hours, I wanted to depart from the face of this earth. It took many sips of Sprite and water to rehydrate my body slowly. I experienced extreme headaches and unbelievable nausea.
Thirst and the need for water took on new meaning over those two days in Israel!
Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
- John 4:7
Although this woman’s name is not mentioned in Scripture, these verses in John’s Gospel tell us many truths about Jesus. She came to the city well—alone—in the heat of the day to draw water. The other women in the town shunned her. Jesus engages her in conversation with a simple request … Give me a drink.
“You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
- John 4:8
There was great conflict and prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans. In this culture, a man would not speak to a woman in public. She came to fill her waterpot at Jacob's well, but she had a much greater thirst. Jesus knew this woman had a deep need and He wasn’t concerned about the controversial differences.
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
- John 4:10
Her heart was genuinely thirsting for legitimate and authentic relationships. Men had mistreated this woman. I doubt she experienced much kindness or received many gifts in these recent years of her life. Jesus gives her permission to ask for the gift. No doubt, this is a foreign concept to her.
“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water!” Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
- John 4:15-17
Jesus knew all about her—the shame and guilt she carried each day. Yet, He offered God’s greatest gift to her: fresh, living water that will give eternal life to the one who believes.
Head to Heart
When we come before Jesus, He does not look at our outside appearance. Jesus sees our hearts. He knows our deepest needs and offers a beautiful gift to each of us.
Jesus knows all about you and me. He knows the dirty secrets that we keep hidden in the back of our closets. Even though He knows all the details, He will not push us away. He will not turn His back on you.
Jesus is approachable, safe, kind, and loving. He is tender with the truth about your life. Jesus wants you to ask for the gift God is offering.
Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.
- John 4:42
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