by Kala Loptien

Never Thirst Again

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?”
John 4:11, ESV

A few weeks ago, we found ourselves without running water. Water main breaks were running rampant and this one happened to be on our street! Having guests in our home, I was immediately nervous. No running water? Hmmm, sounds like a “first-world problem,” doesn’t it? Impressive how quickly we react; how regaining a basic need can shift our perspective; and, quite frankly, how easily we take things for granted.

This need for water and the way everything depends on it reminded me of the intentional interaction Jesus has with the Samaritan woman at the well. She’s walking with her jars in the heat of the day–to draw water, and not attention. Her reputation preceded her. Jesus approaches this woman like he approaches all sinners — with His perfect balance of truth and grace. Rather than condemning, He helps her arrive to her own convictions and then brings the Good News.

“…Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14, ESV

After a final exchange, Jesus lays it all out there. It’s one of the very few times (we’re aware of) that He reveals, “I am He.”  The woman’s eyes are opened and she sprints back to town to tell everyone. Jesus knew she would be there. He knew she needed to receive Living Water, that her heart would be open and that she would use it all to testify. She was restored. Born again. All of God’s creation needs water to survive, thrive and be made new. We, as God’s precious children, need this same Living Water so we stop thirsting for this world. The water He gives us wells up to eternal life. Time for us to run and tell everyone the news!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado