Streams Of Living Water

 

She had a deep, dark past 

 

That brought shame and disappointment. 

 

It hurt to walk in public, because everywhere she went, people knew her as, “That woman.” In fact it hurt so bad, she would find the most obscure, inconvenient, troublesome times to do regular every day tasks. 

 

This day was no different. 

 

It was normal for women to get out early, before the heat of the sun made the task unbearable. But just like any day, she waited for the moment where she would be free from the judgmental eyes of her peers. As the noon day sun began to take its tole, the well was finally empty. So she stepped from her home, and made her way through the hot dusty streets. No one ever went to the well at this time of day. 

 

But as she approached, her plan had failed. For this time, a man sat there at the well, as if he were waiting for her. Her guard was instantly up. This never ended well for her. Surely he has heard of her reputation, and has either come to taunt her, or ridicule her. 

 

As she begins to fill her jar with water, the man begins to speak with her. 

 

“Will you give me a drink?” 

 

His words startle her. For he was a Jew, and she a Samaritan. They had deep routed history of judgement and hatred. So she confronts her biggest fear. Convincing herself that he surely is taunting her, she admits the obvious. 

 

“How can you ask me this. I am a Samaritan, and you are Jew.” 

 

Her observation only emphasized the worth she felt of her self evaluation. 

 

But Jesus, knew what she thought about herself. In fact, to prove it, he calls out her cause for deepest regrets.