A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, because his disciples had gone into town to buy food. John 4:7-8 CSB

 The Samaritan woman at the well is a familiar Bible story. Jesus stops at Jacob’s Well in Samaria on His way from Judea to Galilee at mid-day, the hottest time of the day. He waits there as His disciples go into town to get food. Jesus is alone when the Samaritan woman (we never know her name) comes to the well. He asks for a drink of water which is surprising to the woman. In her experience, Jews do not speak to Samaritans and men do not speak to women.

Already Jesus is different from everyone she knows! A conversation ensues and Jesus answers her questions. First, He tells her about “living water.” The woman is intrigued because she thinks she will never again have to come to the well in the heat of the day, avoiding others. She asks him for this living water. When Jesus asks her to return with her husband, she honestly tells Jesus that the man she does not have a husband.

Jesus knows her history; she’s had five husbands in addition to the current man that is not her husband. He doesn’t judge her. Jesus simply says that she has spoken the truth. She calls Jesus a prophet. And next asks about worshipping God only in Jerusalem. She says that she knows the Messiah will come and explain everything. Jesus then reveals that He is the Messiah. Just then His disciples return. The woman leaves her water jug at the well and goes into town, telling the people to “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:29

Jesus stayed two more days in Samaria speaking to the people. And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42

The woman at the well, though her reputation may have been tarnished, is a great example for all of us. She first asked questions in order to gain knowledge about some of her beliefs. When confronted with the Messiah, she is not judged but loved and she believes. And that belief leads to her sharing Jesus with the whole town. She wants everyone to find what she has found, the Savior of the world.

This week let’s be like the woman at the well. Thirsty to know Jesus better. Believing in all we know about Him. Choosing not to judge but to love. And sharing Him with everyone we meet so that they may know Him, too. She found her calling! Have you found yours?

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we, like the woman at the well, embrace knowing and sharing Jesus, the Savior of the world!

Blessings and joy in your calling!