WATCHWORD:
7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 7:7-10
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 7:21-26
Meditation:
Water, Water Everywhere?
Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.
I read and studied “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” when I was in 7th Grade English. It conjured up interesting mental pictures of long adventure, of lost and of found, of mystery and visions, and on the way, I learned a bit about poetry and song.
Water is everywhere. Throughout the Bible, it is mentioned 1274 times! Water was important, right from the beginning, starting with the story of creation. In Genesis 1:2, we read: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” We also read in the Old Testament that God likens himself to water when he reproached people saying: “They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves a cistern, (a) broken cistern that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)
We find references to water in the words of Jesus: “‘He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ By this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.” (John 7:38-39)
How long can life be sustained without water? Three or four days is generally considered to be the limit. We can go without food for more than three weeks, not so with water. One article I read says that at least 60% of the adult body is made of water and every living cell needs it to keep functioning. So, let’s face it, water is more than important, it is essential.
We should not minimize the conversation that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. In that unusual exchange, Jesus told her that He was the Messiah. Not only that but He told her about “Living Water.” Then He proceeded to show her about the spiritual power of the Word of God, the true Living Water. It would be much later that she will realized that God had reached out to her, and it will make a difference in her life.
How long can our Christian lives be sustained without Living Water? Think about that. How long after you have awakened, did you think about God? Did you consider your walk with Him and what the day held for you, the day that He has given you? Was it with your first breath? Or, in our accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior, do we have that Living Water flowing within us, therefore we are never without it?
Yes, His Living Water is here, within. His Living Water is everywhere, His Living Word is life. Amen.
Parting Advice from the Mariner:
Farewell, farewell! but this I tell, To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well, who loveth well, Both man and bird and beast.
He prayeth best, who loveth best, All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.
Closing Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Help me to humble myself under Your mighty wings that I may receive Your healing touch in my mind, body, and soul. Please enable my soul to prosper that Your healing waters may flow like rivers of living water from me to others. In Your matchless name I pray. Amen.
