Day 11

The Woman at the Well



John 4:1-42, Jeremiah 17:9-13, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:1-5

BY Ellen L. Taylor

I start every day with either a cup of coffee, a glass of orange juice, or a cup of tea. The variation depends on a few factors—weather, season, and hour—but the principle is the same: a quick beverage before I get my day started. But when I’m really, truly thirsty, the only thing that will satisfy that craving is plain old water. I prefer mine chilled, while others prefer room temperature. And some people will tell you that bubbly water hydrates you all the same, but I’m not convinced. I just want water.

The woman at the well might have thought the same thing when Jesus came to her as she was drawing water; she just wanted to get some water to drink. Jesus, exhausted from His travels, wanted the same thing. But the water that Jesus offers the woman is different from just normal water. He tells her that if she drinks this water, she will never be thirsty again (John 4:14).

It’s hard to comprehend a water that quenches thirst even more so than what we’re used to. But the woman, tired of coming to draw water from this physical well, is eager to hear what Jesus has to say about His water. According to societal norms, as a Jewish man, Jesus should not have even been associating with this woman, a Samaritan—and one who has had five husbands at that. But Jesus, in keeping with His way of reaching out to those who are cultural outcasts, sees her and offers her eternal life. Jesus, the Messiah, offers her living water.

Have you ever seen a child come in from playing outside, grab a plastic cup of water, and gulp it down ferociously, with deep breaths after every sip? There’s nothing quite like that quenching of thirst. It provides almost instantaneous relief, and gives the child enough energy to run back out the door and keep playing. That’s how I imagine the promise of living water to be: instantaneous relief, courage to keep going, and knowledge that the thirst will not creep back up on you.

The living water of eternal life is offered to us now because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has extended this grace to us, promising to never again leave us thirsty again. There will be a “well of water springing up” within us (John 4:14). When we drink from it, we experience the joy found in life with Christ. Come and drink, friends. Let us share in the goodness of living water.

Post Comments (47)

47 thoughts on "The Woman at the Well"

  1. Lehua K. says:

    Thank you to those who recommended the Chosen. I have downloaded it and plan to watch it with my husband. If I could please ask for prayers, his heart has been opened to learning and he finds church sermons and the Bible interesting, but he’s not a believer yet. I have been praying for our marriage to have a strong foundation in Jesus and for the patience to see that come to pass in God’s timing and way, not mine.

    I wanted to share this video from the Bible Project, it added extra meaning for me regarding the theme of the water of life and how it runs throughout the Bible, including the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Hope it can add value.
    https://youtu.be/PgmAkM39Zt4

  2. Laura Drummond says:

    Wow!! Thank you for sharing your heart on this. It’s exactly the encouragement I need!

  3. Dorothy says:

    Amen, Churchmouse, Casey Hicks, Melanie, Holly Darley, Bessie H., Lizzie, Liz A., Andrea D., Tori, Maura, Lindsay C., Diana Fleenor, Kaitlyn, Sarah D., amen.
    Emily Lindbloom, I would have never thought of it that way. Thanks for the new perspective.
    Wow, Taylor, your words are an inspiration to me. I need to go and do likewise. Thanks.
    Angie, your words are wonderful and tell it like it is. Also, a while back you were looking for ways to keep in touch but not in personal contact with friends. The mom of my little girl I take care of does what she calls sprinkles on her friends. She makes up bags or baskets of fun and cute things her friend(s) like, each one individual, and tries to include something for each member of the family (something small). Then leaves it on the door step and rings the doorbell and leaves.

  4. Sarah D. says:

    Wrong use of quenched…meant to say thirsty world** :)

  5. Sarah D. says:

    The free show The Chosen did an awesome job depicting this scene! So powerful. I love this story so much. I felt like the Samaritan woman, afraid and shameful of my past. But God. He came and made me new. He washed me clean. He gave me LIVING WATER. That which will never run dry. He is the only thing that satisfies. Nothing satisfies like you do Jesus. Help me share your living water with a quenched world. They (and me included cause I still have this tendency) are looking as if in a drought…in all the wrong places. But nothing that this world gives will last. Will quench our thirst. We will always be longing for more. Only Jesus fills our cup. Only Jesus satisfies. Only Jesus. May I find satisfaction and drink my fill in the Well that won’t run dry.

    1. Alexis Todd says:

      That scene was playing in my head as I read this devotional. The entire series The Chosen was amazing!

    2. Samara Hernandez says:

      Oh yes me too!! The show gave me a fresh perspective. She was an outcast, yet she was the one God chose to tell the people. Naturally I’m sure she felt like why would they listen to me. People wouldn’t even look at her! Yet hearing her testimony drove them to encounter Jesus themselves.

  6. Kaitlyn says:

    I am just overwhelmed at the way Jesus freely offers the living water to everyone. It’s not like those medicines you see on TV with a long list of possible negative side effects. “Don’t take if you are allergic, are pregnant… etc” (we all know those) Instead Jesus’ living water is for EVERYONE, and the side effects are joy and freedom from shame. How beautiful.
    Lord, I pray that I only seek your living water, and not the temporary relief the world has to offer. May I long only for the instantaneous relief that comes from you.

    If you haven’t seen it yet, The Chosen has an episode about the woman at the well. You can download the app for free and watch all the episodes, but the last episode shows this encounter. It is portrayed so beautifully and the joy in the woman’s eyes when she realized she was in the presence of the Messiah has continued to run through my mind, especially during today’s devotional.

  7. Ashley Edmondson says:

    Praise be to God! This made tears roll for me and I know speaks to many that read these beautiful words and scripture. Such a great reminder of the wellspring of Faith that lives within us daily. Thank You 1,000 times over!
    All is well and I wish everyone a wonderful Thursday +
    XO

  8. Elle says:

    Amen! Beautiful reading today!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *