Thru the Gospel of John Paraugs

## Are you thirsty? Jesus meets people intentionally and at the perfect time. In Jerusalem, Jesus’ words and actions stirred up a lot of controversy and so, rather than create a crisis before the right time, Jesus left for Galilee. On His way north, He could have taken three different routes: Up the coast, the road along the Jordan River (the common way Jews took to avoid Samaria), or the most direct route through Samaria—the one Jesus took today. He had a divine appointment with a Samaritan woman by a well. At noon, the woman arrived at the well—an unusual time to draw water. There sat Jesus, waiting just for her. To her surprise, He asked her for a drink. Racism was thriving in Israel, pitting Jews and Samaritans against one another. It was culturally inappropriate for Jesus to speak to her, and she knew it. But He talked skillfully and sympathetically with her. He told her about “living water.” Her attitude changed immediately: “Sir, where do You get that living water?” (John 4:11). She thought Jesus was talking about physical water, but through talking with Jesus a desire to be spiritually refreshed and filled was created in her as well. Jesus laid out the condition: Recognize you’re a sinner. To be truly free, we have to deal with sin in our lives. The woman was shocked by what Jesus said and knew. So now she opens up a religious argument. Jesus on the other hand, redirects the topic to what really matters: how to know God. The Samaritan woman is very interested in this. And suddenly, she stands face to face with the Savior of the world and her Messiah! Have you come face to face with the Jesus Christ as your Savior like she did? She turned in faith to Him, left her water pot, and went back to her city to let everyone know who she found. That’s one test of faith – telling others what you’ve discovered. Through her story, she brought a great many in Samaria to Jesus. Many people are led to know Jesus through someone’s influence. Life on life is a powerful influence. But our faith shouldn’t be just build on what another person says. Let someone else’s influence point you to Jesus, and have a conversation of your own with Him. Next, witness the miracle that happened at lunchtime. Question: Have you ever felt “thirsty” in your soul?