Hot and Tired

So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, "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 4:40-42 (NLT)

The story of the woman at the well gripped our attention and imagination as our Bible study teacher shared her ideas of the events of that day. We only know a few sketchy details of this woman: married five times and even now just living with a man, alone at the well in the middle of the day, with a surprise request from a strange Jewish man. Something was not right because women usually went together early in the morning to draw the water, enjoying the camaraderie of being together. However, her reputation cast her out of that circle of friendship and fellowship, leaving her alone in the heat of the day to get the much-needed water. Startled, she responded abruptly when a weary Jesus sat down and asked for some water. She noticed that He didn't even have a bucket, but rather than demanding water from her, He offered her living water. She questioned Him, not understanding what He had in mind, and then imagine her surprise when He proceeded to recite the sordid details of her life. Right about now I would have turned away in shame but Jesus had met her at the point of her greatest need. She wanted life – a real life – without all the drama and trauma that she encountered at every turn. She probably had tried it all without success and was ready to give up but this Man said, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again, But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." No wonder she flew down the dusty trail, forgetting her jar in her haste, to tell everyone in town of her new discovery. Her life changed in an instant as she grasped who this stranger was and what He was offering her. We may not be outcasts like this woman but life may disappoint and discourage us at every turn. We try unsuccessfully to handle it ourselves and may even want to give up. Jesus knows what is going on in our lives and His offer is available today – to anyone who asks. Notice that He didn't hurry on down the road but stayed two more days. The patient Jesus answered their questions and the revelation of the power of this Living Water changed this town. Thirsty? Ask the woman at the well – she has a great story to share.