I love listening to my husband preach. He always challenges me and gives me new insights into scripture.
This last Sunday was no exception. Darryl was teaching from the story of the woman at the well in the book of John chapter 4. I know that this is a very familiar passage, and we have all heard multiple sermons about it. But if that’s not you, and you don’t know this story, I encourage you to go read it.
There are several really important concepts in this narrative. First, Jesus is for everyone. He’s not surprised or disgusted by our past; His love and grace are available to every person, no matter what.
Second, He’s not interested in debating the finer points of theology. The Samaritan woman, when told that she could receive living water, deflected to where worship should take place. Jesus kept bringing her back to the most important thing: Himself and what He could do for her.
One more important thing not to miss: Jesus constantly elevated women in His ministry, in a time when women were not seen as a valuable part of society. Just the fact that He was happy to sit and have a conversation with the Samaritan woman shows how much He considered women to be just as worthy of His grace as any man. I have said before, and I believe it with my whole heart, that Christianity has done more to elevate women than any other religion or philosophy in history, and one of these days I’ll do a whole post about that.
But for now, I want to concentrate on a part of this story that you may have missed; I know I had never noticed it until Darryl mentioned it on Sunday.
Look closely at verse 28 of chapter 4. “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town….”
Isn’t scripture amazing? There are so many instances where seemingly unimportant details are thrown in, and often those little things change our whole perspective.
The Samaritan woman left her water jar. I don’t think it’s a mistake that this is mentioned; in fact, I think it may be the whole point.
You see, the water jar represented everything wrong about the Samaritan woman. It was a very tangible reminder of her sinful past. She was out at the well in the middle of the day–around noon–probably precisely because of her marital status. She was unclean and unsavory, and the other women in the village didn’t want to have anything to do with her, so she was forced to go draw her water during the hottest part of the day.
She toiled daily under the strain of having to get water, and also did it without friends or support. Her regular trek out to the well must have been a painful reminder of her sin. I can just imagine her thoughts each day as she trudged up the hill in the heat, carrying that heavy jar: I’m no good. I don’t deserve love. My bad choices are a result of the terrible hand I’ve been dealt. I’ll never break free of this shame and guilt I feel. I’m unworthy. Unworthy. Unworthy.
But then, she had a divine encounter with Jesus. He didn’t gloss over her sin; in fact, He named it specifically, but with compassion and grace. He offered her what she could never find anywhere else: freedom from the guilt and shame she had been carrying like a heavy water jar, through the heat and toil of life.
And when she understood who He was and what He was offering, her burden was lifted. She left her water jar and ran into town, unable to contain her joy.
Friend, what have you been carrying? What is the burden that weighs you down? What makes you feel every day as if you are unworthy of love?
It’s time to leave behind your water jar. Jesus sees you, and He loves you right where you are today. He knows your past, and He still looks on you with love and compassion. He’s not interested in making you feel guilty; He wants to give you living water. His water restores your soul and never runs out. Once you taste the pure, clean water of His love and grace, you will be able to leave behind everything that has been weighing you down and walk in joy and peace.
I hope my message today has been an encouragement to you. Please let me know in the comments or by email how I can pray for you.
Blessings, Mindy.