THIRST QUENCHER

John 4:1-14

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.”

Here Jesus does some unusual things. Violates several customs!

First, He is travelling through Samaria, a country avoided by most Jews because of long-standing hostility between the peoples. And He is talking to a Samaritan woman.

But isn’t this the inclusiveness we expect from God who created all people. Shouldn't He love everyone?

Tired and thirsty as He is, Jesus has something more in mind than His own comfort as He sits down near Jacob’s Well at noontime.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?

Here we see how the Teacher turns even the simplest encounter into an opportunity to bring spiritual understanding. But the woman is surprised by the request - You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?

Jesus now turns the conversation in the direction He planned all along.

Jesus answered her, "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."

Like most of us when first encountering Jesus, the woman is confused - Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Woman, meet the Thirst Quencher! The only one who can satisfy the thirst for God in every parched soul.