June 2025 Written by Amy Davies
Following our Roots session back in March, the best way to start feels like a reflection of Jesus as our Source, inspired by Christine’s brilliant talk on a beautiful depiction of this found in John 4:1-26, where we witness Jesus’s encounter with a Samaritan woman.
Breaking Barriers
John 4:4 claims Jesus ‘had to go through Samaria’, although research suggests the Jews often took a longer route, implying this necessity was more spiritual than geographical. Interestingly, Samaria was a place avoided by the Jews, however Jesus was not afraid to challenge cultural differences and He went straight through. So often we try to find a way around a problem, around ‘some area’ of our lives that we find a challenge. But, with Jesus we needn’t be afraid to go right on through.
As we join the story, Jesus, tired from the journey, sits by Jacob’s well in the midday sun. Not the usual time or place to be drawing water. Women would usually visit the well in the cool of the morning, a social time. But Jesus wasn’t looking for just anyone. Jesus had a divine appointment with a woman in need of life. A woman rejected by society. What an encouragement for us all - that Jesus is willing to meet with us, right where we are. He seeks us out - He is intentional and purposeful in reaching us, wherever that may be, however inconvenient.
In this encounter, Jesus was ready to challenge everything - as he begins by asking the woman for a drink - tearing down cultural divides between Jews and Samaritans. A little research suggests that Jesus’s encounter with this woman would have been deemed pretty outrageous back in the day - men did not speak at length to women who were not their relatives - even then they would rarely speak to them in public. Samaritan women were considered ‘unclean’ by the Jews, women were deemed as a man’s property and their testimony was not accepted in court. So why would Jesus, son of God, be interested in this woman?
Immediately, we’re invited to understand the unique and loving nature of God incarnate, as Jesus shows acceptance, and gives women through the ages the gift of hope - whoever we are, wherever we are in life - Jesus comes not to judge but to embrace us.
As we listen in to their conversation, does anything feel familiar?
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.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” John 4:9-12
As I envisage the woman’s retorts, I wonder, are we reminded of our own indignation and how we are prone to question God? Perhaps it’s just me, but I know I’ve answered back! That little whisper inside refusing to believe the promises of God could possibly apply to me, how can that be? Looking for evidence. Yet Jesus responds with patience, willing to journey the woman to a point of understanding.
Living Water
As they continue back and forth, we hear Jesus offer up the source of life – living water, a water only He can provide, a water to quench all thirst. The woman takes this literally at first, but we know Jesus speaks of a spiritual thirst. We all know what it is to be thirsty. How we try to quench it through our own performance, the approval of others, just a few more likes, a little more money, if my husband would do this, my children would do that… then I’d be happy... but we are never truly satisfied - only by the living water of God. I wonder how many of us are truly quenching our thirst at the source today?
Jesus invites us, along with the Samaritan woman, to drink from His living water - but what does this mean?
The Bible Hub breaks down the definition of living water as a divine resource; cleansing and refreshing, pointing to the transformative power of Christ, our ultimate, unfailing source of spiritual sustenance which never runs dry.
Therefore, the source of this living water is Jesus - the way, the truth and the life. Jesus later confirms this as He invites in John 7:37 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink”. He followed with the promise: “Whoever believes in Me…streams of living water will flow from within him” John 7:38.
As we come to Jesus and drink from His truth, His life, His Word, we receive: spiritual cleansing, replenishment and renewal, strength to endure trials, the gift of eternal life and the empowerment to develop the fruits of the Spirit, overflowing to others as we love and serve.
Living water can only be found in Jesus, as we choose to fix our eyes on Him, trusting and placing our faith in Him alone. Faith is not a one time action. Living water is flowing, alive, moving - it doesn’t stop still or become stagnant. Jesus asks the same of our faith, which can be achieved in an active relationship with Him. Seeking His Word, worshipping His name, spending time in His presence. And the greatest promise - this living water is available to all - as demonstrated by this encounter with the Samaritan woman - no one is exempt, no matter what barriers there may appear to be - none are disqualified from the life of Jesus.
I remember a powerful image Christine gifted us with as she shared with us at our last Roots - without God we are building broken cisterns - full of holes, water leaking, striving to fill the cracks and keep it from disappearing. But with God - what abundance and without effort - only to have faith to receive!
A Truth That Sets Us Free
Back to the story, and what happens next would make anyone blush… Jesus is direct and gets straight to the point -
I wonder how the woman felt at such a confrontation - sometimes the truth can hurt and I imagine this was not easy to encounter. The wonderful thing about Jesus is that He is truth, and He promises that the truth will set us free. It might feel easier to sit in the dark, but Jesus promises to bring light to the darkness, and in doing so, we can know life. It rarely feels comfortable to be convicted, and how often we get confused between conviction and condemnation - but we are promised that there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1).
A father reprimands his child because he loves them and wants to offer the best guidance to enable growth - to teach them right from wrong, helping them make better choices for themselves and others. God is our perfect loving father. Whilst He accepts us as we are, it is in love that He seeks to present us with the truth, even when it may hurt, to enable us to be transformed by His loving power and become the best version of ourselves we can possibly be for Him.
I love how Christine encouraged us to listen to the voice of conviction and to embrace it for positive change - don’t let the lies of the enemy bring shame and condemnation - rather allow the gentle voice of truth to set you free.
To be continued...