The woman from Samaria encountered Jesus at the well one day when she went to draw water.  It was quite a frightening experience at first.  Men were not supposed to talk to women in public, and furthermore, the man was a Jew.  Jews considered Samaritans unclean.  They steered clear of them.  Jesus asked her for a drink of water and she quickly responded, “WHO ME?”

(Painting by Bob Dacey, “Miriam’s Cup” by Fran Manushkin)

Jesus talked with her in that moment at the well about a deeper kind of water, a “living water” which God gives.  He said, “You will never be thirsty again.  The water I give will become within you a spring of eternal life.”  Her heart beat excitedly,  “I want this water!” she claimed.(John 4: 13-15).

(Photo by Barbara Sundstrom)

In the midst of their conversation, Jesus told the woman things about her life that others did not know.  She found herself opening up to him, sharing about her life.  She realized that he knew her deeply.  He understood her in ways no one else had ever been aware.  She was a colorful person!

(Painting by Meg Harper)

For the first time in her life, the woman from Samaria was embraced and welcomed by someone who accepted her unconditionally, someone who KNEW her!

The woman left her water jar and ran to town, taking that powerful moment with her. Bursting with good news for everyone, here is what she said,  “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).  Someone who knew her deeply and understood, loving her unconditionally, had set her free to become her true self!  That moment changed her life forever.

Pondering…

Who knows you deeply?

How have you been set free to be your true self?

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