John 4:13-14 NLT
[13] “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] 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.”
God had a quarrel with His people. Despite His goodness to them and His many instructions and warnings about idolatry, the Israelites were bent on worshipping the idols and following the evil practices of the wicked nations around them.
Jeremiah 2:4-7, 11-13 NLT
[4] “Listen to the word of the Lord, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel! [5] This is what the Lord says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves. [6] They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness— a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’ “
[7] “And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you….
[11]” Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! [12] The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord.
His diagnosis was simple.
[13] “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”
In their thirst for a life-giving faith, God’s people looked everywhere else but to the Lord, indulging every fleshly lust that their idols could offer them. The outcome was wicked behaviour in the extreme. They were often led by their kings and priests who should have been the custodians of righteousness and truth.
Jesus came to bring us the water of the Spirit who would quench our spiritual thirst with the truth that satisfies forever.
John 7:37-39 NLT
[37] On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38] Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
[39] (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
The life Jesus promised is often pictured as a spring of fresh, crystal-clear water bubbling up from underground. How different from the pools of stagnant water or the muddied streams from which His people drank.
Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well outside Sychar is a poignant reminder of the consequences of drinking at the wrong fountain.
She was a sinful woman, an outcast, full of fear, guilt, and shame. She came alone at midday to fetch water, not with the women of the town. She tried to hide behind religion, but Jesus knew her life and He knew her heart.
John 4:16-18 NLT
[16] “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
[17] “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—
[18] for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
Imagine her shock at Jesus’ disclosure! His words hit her right between the eyes.
John 4:28-29 NLT
[28] “The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, [29] “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”
What did this encounter with Jesus mean to this woman? She came face to face with the truth about her life. For all her years of shame, she was trying to slake her thirst at the wrong fountain! The so-called “love” of a man, especially not a husband, was nothing more than lust, cheap pleasure at her expense.
Her longing for real love was never satisfied, and never would be if her source was a polluted fountain.
Proverbs 5:21-23 NLT
[21] “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. [22] An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. [23] He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.”
In Jesus’ promise, she discovered truth that would change her heart and satisfy her thirsty soul forever.
John 4:13-14 NLT
[13]” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] 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.”
The same prophet who diagnosed Israel’s disease, prescribed God’s cure.
Jeremiah 31:3 NLT
[3] “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
How must we respond to a love like this?
John 4:39-42 NLT
[39] “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”
[40] When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, [41] long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
[42] 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.”
Faith in the one who made the promise opens the heart to truth, love, peace, and security that wells up into eternal life.
Try it! I have!