A Call to the Thirsty

 

What kind of woman was she?

She had five husbands and the one she was living with now wasn't even her husband. She had come to draw water from the well at noon in the heat of the day, not in the cool of the evening when the other women came.

What brought her to the well alone at that hour?

What kind of woman was she?

A sinner, miserable and guilty? Yes, but more than that, she was a thirsty seeker. And she needed a drink.

Although surely she was sinful, the main issue in the woman's life was not sin, but thirst. She was a seeking one. She had come, day after day, to the well to draw water-and on this day, recorded forever in John 4, a marvelous Person was there, speaking to her.

Like no man before: He knew her need, and He spoke directly to it: "Woman, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that is speaking to you... you would have asked of him and he would have given you living water."

Later, she replied: "Sir, give me this water."

Because of the deep thirst of her being, the inner longing for satisfaction, she had tried many things, even many men, looking for an answer for that longing. Her whole reckless past, brought before her eyes now in its entire shambles, is just a sign, an indication of her deep, driving thirst.

Only one thing could fill her, could satisfy her desire. And the One presently talking with her was speaking of exactly that one thing; speaking right to that need, deep in the center of her being.

Living Water!

This is exactly what Jesus has; it's what he is, and He is presenting Himself to all who are thirsty.

Jesus is not religion. Because of His crucifixion and resurrection, as the life-giving Spirit He has made Himself available for you to drink. To taste, to see-to sample this wonderful living water.

Religion always consists of requirements imposed upon man, a demand; while Christ, on the other hand, presents Himself to man as life, a supply.

As He talked to the woman there, things began to happen to her. As she spoke, she began to taste this living water. Leaving her water pot, she ran back to the village and brought many back with her, telling them to "come see a man...Christ."

The thirsty cry of many people today is the same. Just as the Lord was seeking this thirsty woman, so also today, as the Spirit, He is searching out His thirsty seekers-those who would just care to take a drink.

This living water is more than mere doctrine, Bible knowledge, theology, or empty traditions. Higher, richer, sweeter than all other human experiences is the rich experience of knowing Christ--inwardly--as living water.

Taste Him.

How?

Psalm 116 says: "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."

How did that thirsty woman get the living water? She asked. And He gave it to her. He gave Himself to her.

To taste, simply open your mouth, and with a sincere heart ask Christ to forgive your sins and to make His home in your heart.

Ask Him now to give you this living water. He surely will.

Simply pray: "Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking me and finding me. Lord, I am both sinful and thirsty. I want the living water! Give me a drink of eternal life! Be the well of water springing up from within me. Lord Jesus, quench my thirst with Yourself."