“Are You Drinking Enough?” 1
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NRSV)
“Freedom Week” at Camp Vandemere proved to be a scorcher this year for the 72 kids plus adults in attendance. While not the theme, “stay hydrated” was a common reminder day after day. As the heat and humidity soared into the triple digits, camp directors and counselors remained cognizant of the conditions and reminded the children and youth of the dangers associated with heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To alleviate some of the concern, our afternoon schedules were adjusted accordingly and ample hydration stations were provided around the campus with ice-cold H 2 O and lemonade. I cannot know for certain just how many sleeves of paper cone cups we went through between Sunday night and Thursday afternoon, but believe me when I say it was a lot!
In John 4, we read of Jesus having a water break of his own when he traveled with his disciples through Samaria on their way to Galilee. Although the text indicates Jesus “had to go through Samaria,” most Jews would have avoided this northern route at all costs. Sure, it saved a couple of days’ worth of travel, but the multi-century hostility between the two groups elevated contact avoidance above personal convenience. We can only wonder as to what the disciples thought/felt as Jesus led them on the most direct route from Judea to Galilee and even more so upon their stop near the Samaritan village of Sychar. Perhaps by now they had spent enough time with Jesus so as to see people differently or at least to expect the unexpected from Jesus. Regardless, they left Jesus behind in search of nourishment while he took a rest at Jacob’s well. By the way, I love this added detail as it captures the humanity of Jesus amidst his divine nature.
Upon the disciples’ exit, she (an unnamed woman of Samaritan descent) made her entrance. Doing what women in those days did each day, she went out to draw water, but not in the cool of the morning or evening and without the fellowship of other villagers. Her story is shrouded in mystery although attempts have been made at trying to “connect the dots.” With her identification as one of the Jews’ most detested relatives and mention of multiple marriages, it may be safe to say she was an outcast amongst an outcast people. She was any and everything but the kind of person a Jewish male would have addressed in public, but that proved to be of little concern to Jesus. Without hesitation, Jesus asked her for a drink from the well, but then offered her refreshment of a surpassing quality compared to ordinary water.
The woman went out seeking one thing, but, in reality, had need of something more. She, like so many, had a longing on the inside which nothing ordinary was capable of satisfying. We often describe such a desire as a “thirst” and we look to many different sources trying to find something that will last, something that will truly quench the dryness. I remember as a child how I would play or do yardwork during the summer, and go into the house declaring, “I am bad thirsty!” That was my way of saying I was beyond needing a glass of water or some other liquid refreshment. For a little while, I would be satisfied and return to the hot outdoors only to return some time later desiring another drink. Yes, my need for physical hydration continued as is true for all of us. But ordinary water or an electrolyte beverage can only address the needs which our bodies have. They cannot properly hydrate the soul.
That is the real difference between what is drawn from a well or poured from a cooler, and what Jesus was offering to the Samaritan woman. Initially, she was hearing Jesus’ words at a surface level. She was thinking in terms of going to the well day after day to draw water for her personal needs. However, “living water” was heard by the Jews and Samaritans as that which was fresh, flowing, and had a better taste. Of course, Jesus was trying to get the woman to look on the inside to see what was missing and to consider all that she had been doing to fill the emptiness in her life. If she was only looking to hydrate, cook, clean, etc., she would need to return to the well. What Jesus was willing to provide would help her to address what was on the inside.
Are you thirsty today? No, I am not asking that because it has been so very hot this summer. I feel like the answer is “yes” and that your experience is somewhat like mine (which is like that of the woman). You are longing for love, hope, peace, joy, etc., but have not been able to find it in all of those things which grab our attention and call out making certain promises. To truly be satisfied, we must have a more consistent intake of the real “Thirst Quencher” and, no, I am not speaking of Gatorade. We must remain connected to the source of “living water” who alone is able to satisfy the void which we so often feel without him. Stay hydrated in Christ my friends!
The Reverend Kelley Smart