The Woman At The Well
Beth Tatchell is a second-year student studying Biology.
Beth’s favourite story — John 4:4-10 (NIV)
‘Now he (Jesus) had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 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.’
Beth’s reflections — ‘My favourite story is when Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well. I love how it shows that Jesus loves even the outcasts of society. This woman was shocked that Jesus even acknowledged her. She was a woman, a Samaritan, an unmarried promiscuous person so according to cultural standards at the time she was the lowest of the low. And yet her testimony caused many other Samaritans to believe. And I think this is such a beautiful image of how God can use all of us no matter who we are in society and how ‘bad’ we are. It also proves how important and powerful our testimonies can be in chatting to non-christians.’
Tim — Jesus is still chasing after ‘outcasts.’ Perhaps today you can associate with how the Samaritan felt, on the edges, rejected. Today Jesus wants to surprise you when he shows up at ‘your well’ to speak with you. He wants to bring you in close, show you love and lead you towards repentance and give you living water. You might feel you can’t approach Jesus but the feeling certainly isn’t mutual!
Prayer — Thank you that you are keen to meet with me. Remind me of the journey we have been on and how my story (testimony) is relevant/inspiring to my friends and family who don’t yet know you.