Our lord Jesus Christ was travelling through the north of Jerusalem, Samaria. He was famished and tired. Beside the well he sat, he saw a Samaritan woman and asked her to pull water for him. She was quite surprised that a Jew would talk to her and even go further to ask for water, this is because since the first century there has been disagreement between Jews and Samaritans.
In her shocked state, she asked Jesus at John 4:9
“How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink even though I am a Sa·marʹi·tan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Sa·marʹi·tans.)
In answer Jesus said to her in verse 10.
“If you had known of the free gift of God and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Jesus explained further in verse 13 and 14
“Everyone drinking from this water will get thirsty again. Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life
What water was Jesus talking about?
The bible describes our heavenly father as the source of living water Jeremiah 2:13. We all know that life is from God and our survival depends on taking advantage of the water he gives us whether physical or spiritual.
It can be said in our world presently, there is lack of spiritual water. Therefore, there is a need for spiritual guidance today. People have a need for answers to major questions concerning God and the bible. I believe that it is possible to locate satisfying yet accurate answers in the refreshing “water” of the bible.
Let us now take a critical look at the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. Jesus Christ spoke about living water that flows from God’s word. Jesus Christ described this water as a water that gives eternal life. We all are invited by God to take this water at Revelation 22:17.
And the spirit and the bride keep on saying, “Come!” and let anyone hearing say, “Come!” and let anyone thirsting come; let anyone who wishes take life’s water free.
This water of life represent God’s provision for us to have everlasting life.
A person can start to drink from this water by applying John 17:3
This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
So, knowing God and Jesus is key to getting eternal life. The bible is the formal way through which we can learn about these two personalities.
But has religion quenched mankind’s thirst?
Just attending church services or simply proclaiming oneself to be religious does not mean one has taken this refreshing water of truth and life.
The fact is that some of today’s religions have actually added to problems man face instead of solving them. There have reports of scandal involving clergy men who embezzle church funds or sexual abuse children, these pollutes the waters dispensed by these religions.
Moving forward, at John4:14 already cited above, when Jesus said that “whoever drinks from the water I give him shall not thirst again” what did he mean?
Just like a water which cleanses a person physically, God’s word of truth can clean a person and make him or her to be transformed to do the will of God.
Jesus words showed that this “living water” translates to the arrangement God has made for us to gain life.
One very important feature of this arrangement is the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, he died so that we may gain life.
Jesus impartiality was also clearly portrayed when he presented to the Samaritan woman an opportunity to gain life. Since there was a conflict between Jews and Samaritan back then, it could have been easy for Jesus to bypass her.
The lesson there is that the water of life is meant for people of all race.
The apostle john spoke about this water of life in his vision of a new heaven and a new earth where he saw a river of water of life flowing out of God’s throne after that vision, john held a pronouncement at Revelation 22:17 already cited above.
This is an invitation to everyone and anyone that wishes to gain eternal life.
We, who are currently drinking from this water of life have the primary responsibility of extending this invitation.
Also note that that verse says “anyone who wishes should take life’s water free”. This implies that the water of life (God’s word of truth) should not be sold or used in any way for commercial gain but should be given free of charge to all those desirous of it.
So let us extend this invitation to all. Let us tell them to come and take the water of life (Gods word).
Please fell free to ask questions in the comment section.