Just Walk Across the Room – Taking a Genunine Interest (Part 3)

As the story continues, in 4:9, — the woman responds back to Jesus something like this — “Mister, what in the world are you doing?

Jesus draws her in — he engages her in conversation and arouses her curiosity … “I will give you living water …” (4:10-12)

Jesus must have realized by now that this woman probably had a tough life … she was all alone at the well … she was single now … she probably lived in isolation — maybe no friends … no one who genuinely cared for her. But here’s Jesus – reaching out to her — giving her hope again … loving her … helping her experience joy and love again … with his offer of eternal life … (4:13-15)

Jesus then takes the conversation deeper … why did he do this? Why did Jesus bring her adultery and sexual sin right out in the open? Up to this point – the living water in her life has been men. If the source of her satisfaction in life is men – then no matter how much Jesus shows compassion toward her – he won’t be able to help her because she is bent on a false source of life – men. She finds her source of life in the many men that she’s had … But, have men satisfied her? NO … she keeps trying new men … and she won’t even marry this last one. (4:16-18)

SIDETHING: When we make something an idol in our life – sex, money, power – it never truly satisfies … the woman in this story had been drinking out of a dirty welll – a well that would never satisfy her soul … her story was one of insatiable desire and a desperate struggle to find love … But Jesus is really saying … “How can I give you living water if you keep drinking from wells that don’t satisfy?”

Jesus sees her … feels for her … and he loves her just the way she is – but her refuses to leave her the way she is … Jesus extends compassion – but she has to receive it.