Give Me this Water

John 4:11-15

11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock”. 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water”.

Notes

The text portrays a scene in which Jesus contrasts the water from the well with the living water He provides. He thus provides a veiled response to the query of who is greater. In addition to satisfying, the living water turns into a spring that wells up to eternal life. The woman understood the meaning of Jesus' words and requested the living water. The significance of comprehending the gospel and seeking Christ—the only one who can meet humanity's spiritual needs—is demonstrated by this experience. The verses emphasize Jesus' omnipotence since He provides what Jacob's well was unable to: flowing water that satisfies spiritual thirst and erupts as a spiritual spring from within.

1. Seeking clarification

   Although it was highly unusual due to racial bias, the woman engaged the Lord in conversation. She asked where the Lord gets the living water. Then she asked a loaded question. She asked if the Lord was greater than Jacob.

   
   11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock” (John 4:11-12).
   
   
   

2. Jesus explains

   The Lord Jesus explained to the woman the difference between the water at the well and the living water that He offers. It was an indirect answer to the question of who is greater. Not only will the living water satisfy, it will also become a spring.
   
   13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).
   
   
   
   

3. Give me the water

   After the Lord explained the difference between the water in Jacob’s well and the water that He gives, the woman asked for the living water. It showed that she understood what the Lord was explaining. She saw the difference. On the other hand, she could be chiding because she failed to grasp the idea.

   
   15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water” (John 4:15).
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Be clear with the gospel

   As believers, it is our duty to proclaim the gospel with utmost clarity and conviction. It is crucial that we communicate the essential elements of the gospel message, including who Jesus is, His sacrificial death, its significance, and His resurrection.

   
   
   

2. Explain the gospel

   As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to explain the gospel message clearly to others. Central to this message is the person of Jesus Christ. He is not merely another teacher or prophet, but rather the Son of God who came to save humanity from sin and death.
   
   

3. Guide others

   As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to share the good news of the gospel with others. However, it is equally important that we communicate it in a clear and understandable way. Furthermore, we must guide others in their new life as believers, which is an ongoing journey of learning and growth.
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the woman’s question? What led her to ask?

2. How did Jesus respond to the woman’s question?

3. . How should we proclaim the gospel