Have you come to a point of exhaustion, and you wonder where to run to?
If you love nature like me, you’ll feel like shutting everyone out, and just going to a place where you’ll gaze at the stars or moon or river or trees… To focus and breathe out. Or maybe, you turn on a movie and watch. Or you grab some chocolates and binge on. Or you pick your bag and slide your feet into your shoes – off to go see a friend.
Like Job 14:1 tells us, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”
But at those times when life knocks you with tiredness and thirst, there’s a place to go to.
We’ll be learning from the life of Jesus and the Samaritan woman today. They faced similar things we face, but going to the right place brought the true answers and solutions they needed.
Today’s verses: John 4: 5-9
How Jesus identifies with our needs:
In verse 6, we see: …Jesus therefore being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well.
Jesus showed how frail the human flesh is – tired and thirsty. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities… Tempted as we are.
He humbled Himself and came in the human flesh to serve and save us. Tired on that fateful day, He sat by Jacob’s well. Resting and ready to do His Father’s work. To touch the life of one thirsty woman. He never tires of meeting our needs (even when He was in need… How much more now He sits in glory).
As God gave Him strength and grace to complete that divine task, every grace and strength you need to take one more step, and do one more work, for Heaven and humanity’s sake, God will provide.
A Lonely Woman
…and it was about the sixth hour: There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. (john 4: 6-7)
Do you feel lonely at times? Forgotten. By friends, family…? This Samaritan woman has a first-class taste of loneliness! The sixth hour was usually the time of the day women come to draw water from the well. Typically, they come in groups. Discussing and chatting away with their pots on their heads. But this woman walked alone. Probably covered by shame.
Everyone knew her story… The woman who keeps changing men like her underwear. One man keeps her and then disposes her when he gets tired. Then she grabs the next man. And this one in her net now, I imagine how tight she clung to him, doing everything to ensure he doesn’t get rid of her. “Will I be able to get another man if this one leaves me?”
Questions. Rejection. Fears. Heartache. Shame. Loneliness. They were faithful companions and friends to this Samaritan woman.
Does your life look like hers in some way? No, you may not have had five husbands/men, but you feel lonely at times. No good friend around. You feel hurt by past experiences. Timidity and shame follow you like your shadow.
If Jesus could walk up and initiate a conversation with such a woman, how much more you? He’s right by your side, willing to talk it out with you. But, don’t bury yourself behind closed doors. Go to the well.
Woman At The Well
This Samaritan woman knew that for her to get the water she needs for her home; she needs to go to the well and draw. The water won’t come to meet her in her house.
And despite the loneliness, shame and everything she felt, she picked her pot and headed for the well. No laziness. No procrastination. No day-dreaming.
If you must get what you need in life, be ready to step out and grab it. Go to the well.
And that reminds me of other women who encountered providence at the well. Rebekah. Racheal. Jethro’s daughter. They all met “prince-charming” husbands – Isaac, Jacob, Moses – when they came to the wells for water. Girl, where is your well? Where is your place of assignment? Be there. Divine encounters happen there.
The Conversation
Jesus said unto her, “Give me to drink.” Then said the woman of Samaria unto Him, “How is it that thou being a Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” (Verse 7,9)
Do you know why Jesus discussion with this woman was so “out of place” and remarkable?
Harsh racism existed between Jews and Samaritan (I shared a bit of it in the last post) – not to talk of a Samaritan “woman”. Women were considered greatly inferior to men, really just a piece of property. In fact, I read that good Jews said a prayer along these lines when they woke up in the morning: Oh, God, I thank You that I am not a Gentile, that I am not a slave and that I am not a woman.”
How sour.
You can imagine how this woman’s eyes widened as the words of this Jew Man fell into her ears.
Jesus discriminates no one. No matter what people say and think.
He came to meet the Samaritan woman at the well. He didn’t allow those Jews to stone the adulterous woman to death. He allowed Mary, the woman everyone tagged “messy” to pour her alabaster box oil on Him… As she surrendered and worshipped. Whosoever comes to Him, He will in no wise cast away. Make your date today.
Racism and gender discrimination are not of God. For in Christ, there is neither Greek nor Jew, man or woman…We all are valued in God’s eyes. Girl, don’t see yourself as inferior because you are female or black-skinned or from a “little” background. In Christ, we are one. Also, don’t treat anyone as “foot mat.” God frowns at it.
“Give me to drink“
Like Jesus asked this woman for a drink from her pot, He still asks each one of us for something. Give me your heart (Proverbs 23:26). This is the first thing He needs from you. A life fully surrendered to Him.
Then, He still asks for your physical “water.”
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25: 37-40
Reflect and Respond:
- What do you learn from the way Jesus identifies with our sufferings?
2. We talked about women who had divine encounters at the well. You’re wondering how to find your well, right? You need to watch this short video. Mrs Yaks discussed four P’s you need to know about YOU. They determine how fulfilled and blissful your life will be. Find out what they are and answer those questions through God’s guidance.
3. In what areas will you “give a drink” to Jesus today? Think, write, and act. Great blessings await you.