Morning Devotional

April 21, 2005
"The Woman at the Well" (Part 15) 
    by Don Emmitte

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The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him. (John 4:28-30 NLT).

I just love this verse! When you truly meet and love Jesus, and trust Him in your heart, the cares of this world have little if any consequence in your life. The Samaritan woman came to the well, in the heat of the day, because obviously she needed water. If there had not been a physical need for water in her life she would have surely stayed home, since the trip to the well certainly would not have been pleasant. As much as she needed water, when she met Jesus, she left her water jar behind!

Do you remember the story of the four friends of the paralytic? They had to dig a hole in the roof of the house to lower their friend to the feet of Jesus. They did so with the faith that if they could just get him to Jesus, he would be healed.  They were not disappointed. Jesus not only healed the paralytic, but also forgave his sin. The wonderful part of that story was when the Scripture says that they lowered him through the roof and then dropped the ropes! Do you know why they dropped the ropes? I believe it was because their faith told them that their friend would not need to leave that room the way he came in!

The Samaritan woman’s water jar was a reminder to her that she couldn’t go to the well early in the morning, because of her sin. The jar probably reminded her of her thirst in her heart for something other than the life she was living. The Samaritan woman’s water jar was a burden to her everyday. When she met Jesus she left her water jar behind because after meeting Jesus, she would never need it again!

What are you holding on to from your past? Are you trying to carry the burden of sin and guilt from your teenage years? Are you burdened by health, financial hardships, or a broken relationship? What is your water jar? I want to encourage you to meet with Jesus and leave your water jar behind. The Samaritan woman left her jar and went into the city a new person. You can leave your jar of burdens and go into a city of new foundations, whose architect and builder is the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 11:10). Jesus wants to take your burdens, nail them permanently to the Cross, and carry you through the trials of life in victory.

Of course the Samaritan woman didn’t go back to the city and suddenly all her burdens were gone. She still had the same struggles as when she carried her water jar to the well that afternoon. The difference now is that someone else was carrying the load. She had found Living Water, and her life would never be the same again. Living Water will be just as refreshing to you!