Get Your Drink On!
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." --John 4:10
Water is a natural resource necessary to maintain life and wells are openings in the ground of the earth created to gain access to the water. During biblical times, the journey to the well was made each morning and evening in an effort to keep the water supply restored. Heavy pots full of water made the journey long and laborious. Therefore, cities and towns were built near wells to facilitate better travel. A brim or low wall made of rocks or stones was often built around the opening of the well to keep dirt and other foreign objects from getting into the well. This was the kind of well upon which Jesus sat when he met and talked with the woman from Samaria in John 4. As an additional protective measure, shepherds would also place a large flat stone over the well's opening. The large flat stone over the opening of the well served to protect the water in the well from contaminants. However, the large stone also served as a barrier or obstacle to thirsty persons desiring water from the well. Thus, when it was time to draw water from the well, the shepherds gathered together to remove the heavy stone from the mouth of the well. To draw water, a bucket or jar was lowered into the well with a rope.
Jesus' request of the woman for a drink of water to quench his physical thirst led to the Samaritan woman recognizing her need for a drink of water from Jesus to quench her spiritual thirst. Rivers, streams, and springs are referred to as natural water or "living water" because the water moves as if it has a life of its own. When we observe the movement of a flowing river, we see it moving with such vigor that it moves as though it is on a mission. In other words, it moves with a purpose. It is this kind of natural - moving - "living water" that the Samaritan woman perceived Jesus as offering. However, Jesus was offering her Living Water (God's Spirit) -- the kind that would give her unending purposeful Life with a mission.
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well demonstrates the benefits of engaging in meaningful conversation about our needs and vulnerabilities (Counseling and the Therapeutic Process). Through honest dialogue about identity, experiences, and faith the Samaritan woman and Jesus acknowledged common, yet different needs (desires) or thirsts. Like the shepherds who removed the large flat stone from the opening of the well so that others could gain access to living water, Jesus was the Good Shepherd (Pastoral Counselor) who removed the obstacles of shame, guilt, and fear to give the Samaritan woman (us) access to the Living Water (God's Spirit of love, hope, and peace) contained deep within The Well (God). May we always hear the invitation to come to The Well.
Water is a natural resource necessary to maintain life and wells are openings in the ground of the earth created to gain access to the water. During biblical times, the journey to the well was made each morning and evening in an effort to keep the water supply restored. Heavy pots full of water made the journey long and laborious. Therefore, cities and towns were built near wells to facilitate better travel. A brim or low wall made of rocks or stones was often built around the opening of the well to keep dirt and other foreign objects from getting into the well. This was the kind of well upon which Jesus sat when he met and talked with the woman from Samaria in John 4. As an additional protective measure, shepherds would also place a large flat stone over the well's opening. The large flat stone over the opening of the well served to protect the water in the well from contaminants. However, the large stone also served as a barrier or obstacle to thirsty persons desiring water from the well. Thus, when it was time to draw water from the well, the shepherds gathered together to remove the heavy stone from the mouth of the well. To draw water, a bucket or jar was lowered into the well with a rope.
Jesus' request of the woman for a drink of water to quench his physical thirst led to the Samaritan woman recognizing her need for a drink of water from Jesus to quench her spiritual thirst. Rivers, streams, and springs are referred to as natural water or "living water" because the water moves as if it has a life of its own. When we observe the movement of a flowing river, we see it moving with such vigor that it moves as though it is on a mission. In other words, it moves with a purpose. It is this kind of natural - moving - "living water" that the Samaritan woman perceived Jesus as offering. However, Jesus was offering her Living Water (God's Spirit) -- the kind that would give her unending purposeful Life with a mission.
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well demonstrates the benefits of engaging in meaningful conversation about our needs and vulnerabilities (Counseling and the Therapeutic Process). Through honest dialogue about identity, experiences, and faith the Samaritan woman and Jesus acknowledged common, yet different needs (desires) or thirsts. Like the shepherds who removed the large flat stone from the opening of the well so that others could gain access to living water, Jesus was the Good Shepherd (Pastoral Counselor) who removed the obstacles of shame, guilt, and fear to give the Samaritan woman (us) access to the Living Water (God's Spirit of love, hope, and peace) contained deep within The Well (God). May we always hear the invitation to come to The Well.