The Well is Deep

img source: http://amjunus.blogspot.com/2014/11/letter-to-my-lds-friends-and-family.html

After listening to the Gospel of John being narrated in the movie I was watching yesterday, I saw a few points with fresh eyes. One of the things that struck me the most was this line from the famous woman at the well: “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? (John 4:11)

         This was her reply when Jesus said: "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” Apparently, the woman had no clue who she was talking to and I was struck by her attitude because it reflects human tendency to be unfamiliar with what Jesus is capable of doing. "YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DRAW WITH AND THE WELL IS DEEP." More often than not and whether we are aware of it or not, there are times when it is hard for us to believe that Jesus could satisfy our deepest longings, that he could understand our suffering or change some bad habits or heal our wounds. For some reason, we refuse to believe that Jesus could go that deep.

 Beloved, Jesus is capable. More than you will ever fathom. And He means it when he said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

When Jesus Swerved

image source: http://kristinbeasley.blogspot.com/2011/07/jesus-defies-culture-woman-at-well.html

I like it when I am reached out to. Who doesn’t? By God’s grace, I have been helped by many people in many ways. But the kinds that left footprints in my heart are those that cost a lot to the one who did it. We all want to feel special and the moments I feel that I am are those when someone did something just for me, for my sake and good - not just taking me home because they’re heading in the same way; not just giving me stuff because they don’t need it anymore. Of course, these things are a blessing but you get what I mean.

Today, some incident made me feel unimportant and I will spare you the details. On my way home, I tried to recall one event the Bible might have about God paying particular interest in individuals, and God brought to mind the story of the woman at the well.

In that story, found in John chapter 4, it was clearly stated that Jesus had to go through Samaria (v.3) - taboo for a Jew to do since Jews were not supposed to associate with Samaritans. But Jesus went out of his way, broke racial barrier, disregarded social norms just to have a heart to heart talk with a woman from an outcast tribe – not just any woman, a woman with 5 husbands! Yet Jesus spared precious moments of his time telling her of the wonderful life in store for her.

That woman left the well a new person. A simple chat and her life was never the same. This is allegorical to moments when someone – no less than God himself goes out of his way to show His love, moments that instantly captivate my soul and change my life forever.

Jesus was tired from ministry that day, but he went to Samaria anyway. Samaria was out of his way, but he went there anyway. It was a path no Jew was supposed to go but he went there anyway. It was clearly out of his comfort zone but he chose that way anyway.

Every time I am tempted to feel insignificant, I should think twice and remember this account of the Bible - the day when Jesus swerved, went out of his way, didn’t care to be judged, did something out of His comfort zone just to reach out – to remind me that I am important, to make me feel that I am loved.