Living Water; The Woman At The Well

John 4:5-42
Living Water; The woman at the well
At the time of our story, avoiding persecution, Jesus left Judea and is traveling virtually in a straight line through Samaria to Galilee the Samaritans are inferior, unclean. Even entering into Samaria was considered contaminating.
Jesus is hot, he is thirsty, and he is tired. He is alone. It is noon. Only one woman there, likely because of the heat. He is needy. Weary, dusty, vulnerable, the Word made Flesh asks for a drink. With the words, “Give me a drink,” Jesus opens the longest conversation he has in the Gospels.
Jesus breaks the rules, a Jewish man speaking to a woman in public, a Samaritan, and a rabbi speaking to a known sinner. Even the unnamed Samaritan woman was surprised that he was breaking protocol.
The drink he asked for seems forgotten. Then, he says he is the gift of God. “If you knew this, you would have asked me and I would give you living water.” What is this living water anyway? In Hebrew scriptures, N.T. Wright tells us, living water is understood as God’s own life, God’s renewing presence going into the dry places.
The Samaritan woman says “You don’t even have something to put the water in.” Like, how is this possible? You know, in so many ways we are right there with her. Skeptical, questioning. She asks the key question,” Where do you get that living water? Jesus replies, “you will never be thirsty with the water I give you.” “I want this, give it to me, she responds.” Jesus shows that he knows her, he knows her history without judging. Floored, the woman recognizes Jesus as a prophet; she knows the Messiah is coming.

Then out of nowhere comes the big reveal. After years of keeping his identity secret, Jesus openly declares that he is the Messiah.” “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”
This unnamed woman is the first person outside of his immediate disciples to whom Jesus discloses that he is the Messiah. Out in public, out of Jerusalem, not to a religious leader but to an outcast, with multiple marriages, a Samaritan and a woman. In a time when women don’t matter much. This seems to preview Jesus telling Mary Magdelene, he is risen. The Samaritan woman is the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Mary Magdalene is the first to recognize the resurrected Christ. Interesting, yes?
Jesus breaks open the boundary between "chosen people" and "rejected people", the Jews and the Gentiles, and the boundary between male and female, who he can talk to and who will spread the good news.[1] We see a shift. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Now Jesus is here for everyone and everywhere.
This is a big deal. Another momentous scripture. NT Wright sees Jesus “launching a new covenant reality, not just the renewal of Israel but all the nations, embracing Samaritans as well as Jews.
The woman, likely in shock, forgets her water jug and goes home. She witnesses to her people, exclaiming about Jesus’ powers, inviting them to go see him. Many Samaritans came and believed, asking Jesus to stay. More believed, declaring him the Savior of the world. Not just Jerusalem, or Israel, the world.
Look at the impact this woman had on her community. Not a saint, but a sinner. Like us all. So, if you are thinking God couldn’t possibly choose you to share the gospel, look at who he has chosen. This woman, a rag-tag group of fishermen. All are able to share Jesus, the living water to others. He chooses his followers. Is he choosing you? We can be unaware and don’t recognize of God is acting in our lives. How can we share the good news with others if we don’t see it first?
Living water is water is God’s spirit flowing through us. If we don’t share it, it just sits there, frozen. The spirit is dormant. Good for us, perhaps, but not for others What a waste.
Many of us arrive at wells carrying more than we admit. We carry thirsts we’ve learned to manage quietly. We carry histories we assume disqualify us. We carry burdens that are just too heavy. We find that faith that is no longer simple and doesn’t tell us all the answers. Sometimes we are just exhausted. Lord, let me give up, we might cry out.
Jesus meets us in this place—not with rules and requirements, but with living water, the Holy Spirit. He calls us to step out of ourselves so that we can bring forth the gospel, building God’s kingdom on earth. And then sometimes—slowly, unexpectedly—we just may find ourselves leaving behind what we thought we needed most.
Let us take a moment. Close your eyes, take a few calming breaths. Now, invite the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of Christ in your body. Just wait.
The water flows, the spirit awakens. The invitation still stands: Come and see. You no longer have to be thirsty. God is already waiting for you at the well. Thanks be to God. Amen.