One of my oldest son's favorite bible stories is The Samaritan woman. He brought her up a few months ago during a conversation, and recently, he talked about her again. I had the intention to write about something else and for a strange reason, I couldn’t remember. Scrolling through YouTube, The Samaritan popped up again, and I knew I needed it to write this.
To bring some context to this story that you can find in John chapter 4, the Samaritans were considered “unclean”. They were considered unclean because they were Jews mixed with Gentiles, which created a difference in their ethnicity as well as in their religious points of view. Finding a Jew engaging with a Samaritan was not something you would see, even less a male engaging with a Samaritan female.
The story of the Samaritan is interesting because not only did Jesus wait for her at the well, but he also revealed who He was! Jesus asked her for a drink, which definitely surprised her. Her response was: “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” The first thing to notice is that Jesus, using his humanity to connect with this female, uses the most basic human need: Thirst!
How many times, we, as women, go back to empty wells trying to fill a need? How many times have we gone to that dark hole that a well represents, trying to find ourselves in places no longer serve us! Going to that well and pulling water was probably a tedious routine. Something she did daily, probably reliving her story in her head, her wrongdoings, the judgment she received due to her past.
In that lonely well, JESUS WAITED!
Jesus’ response to her question was: “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.” The Samaritan didn’t understand the reference. If you think about it, what Jesus is saying sounds like nonsense. She probably was confused about what he meant.
Then Jesus did something a little shocking. He brought her past and her sin! Crazy right? If somebody brings up our past, we will be in a defensive mode. But Jesus did not bring her past to condemn her, to bring up the kind of person she was. He did reveal WHO HE WAS! God did it with kindness.
The Samaritan was a woman who had multiple failed relationships in her past; she was currently in a relationship but was not married. Jesus knew each of her partners by name and the story behind each one. Jesus brought that up not to offend her, not to make her feel less, but to reveal who He was and what He could offer. Jesus offered her living water that would quench her thirst forever. When she mentioned the Messiah was coming to change the way things were, Jesus said: “I am he. You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.” Once she realized she had a face-to-face encounter with the Messiah, her life changed!
Going a little out of context here for a second, I want to bring something to your attention. Jesus, as an incarnation of God, always reached out to his humanity to minister. He never used His Holiness. He used his humanity to be relatable. He always used what made him closer to us! He used thirst to be able to reach her! You can find God in your humanity, your weaknesses!
If you are finding yourself going back to the well of your past, look closely because there is a possibility that Jesus is quietly waiting. Jesus might be in that lonely well that you revisit over and over. Jesus is ready to offer you that drink that will quench your thirst, so you don’t have to go back to that well.
Sometimes God will bring up your past for healing purposes. Don’t run from Him. He will use that past for His Glory.
Next time you find yourself sitting at the edge of that well, remember that He is waiting patiently for you to notice Him. In that dark, silent well, Jesus awaits!
Be blessed!
