Who was the thirsty one?

         The "The Woman at the Well" is my favorite account in all of Scripture. One reason is because I enjoy taking a little bit of artistic license at the end of some of the New Testament stories. Like, what really happened to her? Did she completely change? Did she get married again and have kids? Did she already have kids? Did she drop everything and follow Jesus everywhere? Here’s my crazy idea: *Now what if she followed Jesus, her life changed dramatically, and then she actually married one of Jesus’ disciples? Now that would be a turn of events!* See how far out I get?

        

What’s up with this chick?

         We can learn a little more than maybe we want to about this woman from this short passage of Scripture based on her reactions to the Messiah and her quick responses. Before you start judging too quickly, just see if any of her characteristics sound familiar in your life.

         She was kind of blunt for a woman of her day. In verse 9, both when she asks Jesus why he’s talking to her or when she demands Jesus to give her his water so she won’t be thirsty have a bit of snappy connotation behind them. She doesn’t mind spurting out what splashed into her brain just a few seconds before.

         Whatever her background was, she definitely listened in temple every now and again. She may not have followed what she was taught, but she certainly knew it. She knew the Messiah was promised and would come eventually. (verse 25) She was even ready to chat about a longstanding argument between the Samaritans and the Jewish people. (verse 20) Theological debate wasn’t her primary object in stirring up the pot; she wanted to redirect Jesus’ comment about her promiscuous life style.

         She was not only living with a man who wasn’t her husband but had four previous husbands. Now, multiple marriages had become common in certain cultures during this time period but not normally for a woman. I think we can all agree that four seems a bit excessive.

         This woman’s true identity was that she loved love. She loved the spark of a new relationship and the thrill of a man’s attention. Once things weren’t so hideyho anymore, she was ready to book it. Whether she made him leave or he chose to leave because of her demeanor, we know for certain that she’s had four divorces at this point.  Everyone in town knew that she couldn’t keep a relationship going. I’m positive she longed for something that would last, which is why she was so intrigued by this “living water.” (verses 13-14)

He just wanted a drink.

         The entirety of Jesus’ conversation with this woman, he was exhausted. Remind yourself Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. That’s obviously not good math, but we believe Jesus when He says that about Himself. His ability for miracles and vision of people’s hearts couldn’t outweigh his lack of strength, pain in his bones, and need for food and water. His sovereignty as God shines through when He “had” to pass through Samara because he knew whom He was going to meet. (verse 4) However, he was exhausted (verse 6) from the constant attention, healing, and teaching that his ministry put Him through.

         Jesus was so perceptive and (May I use the term?) witty that it’s almost comical. He starts a simple conversation with this woman about getting a drink and leads to riveting conversation about her past. She tries to distract Him from her what’s left of her deep secrets, but He has only one goal in mind – to reveal to her who He really is.

         Pointing people to Himself as true Messiah was his only goal in His ministry. He brought up water that will give an unending quenched thirst; but, oh!, how I would’ve loved to see her face when he says, “I who speak to you am he.” (verse 26) How beautiful the Gospel is!

How excited was she?

         The woman raced back to her people and proclaimed the few people that would chat with her on a normal basis, “He told me all that I ever did.” (verse 39) He did? I kind of missed that… They didn’t really talk too much about her. I think it seemed that way to her, though. Having a plethora of unhealthy relationships is the only thing she identified with. It’s the only thing she could remember in her life, yet this man knew and revealed Himself to her anyway.

         Her testimony got many curious and some to even believe in the Christ immediately. Others were saved once they heard Jesus talk. Jesus wouldn’t eat or rest (verses 31-38) until He showed Himself as “the Savior of the world” to those curious. (verse 42)

The ending was only the beginning.

         So, what’s the end of the story? What happened to the woman? That’s where my mind goes at least. You more spiritual people probably only worry about what Jesus does next. I’m sure her life transformed. She truly believed in the Christ as the Messiah. A heart change then an outward change is inevitable for any believer.

         The true power of the story isn’t so much that the woman changed. It’s that God would use even her to spread His Gospel and reach others with Christ’s true living water.

They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (verse 42)