Photo by Matt Collamer, Unsplash

Jacob’s well was there; so, Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well.  It was about the sixth hour.  A woman from Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said, “Give me a drink.”  John 4:6-7

Living near a well is important.  Wells are deep holes that penetrate the water table beneath the surface and provide water for drinking and other uses.  For the traveler coming a long distance, the well was a place to be refreshed.  For the thirsty, the well supplied a much needed provision.  For the local homeowner, the well was a routine place to visit in the community.  People came to wells because they needed water. 

In John 4, Jesus and his disciples are traveling to Galilee from the region of Judea.  Jesus chose to go through Samaria when most Jews chose to avoid that place.  After some time, they were tired, thirsty and hungry.  Jesus sent the disciples into the city to get food, and he stayed by the well.  As he sat there under the heat of the noonday sun, a woman came to the well by herself to draw water.  Jesus asked her for a drink, and what follows is an incredible story of spiritual transformation!  Jesus took interest in the life of this woman when no one else would.  Jesus shared truth with her, and by the end of their conversation she believed in Him, the Messiah. 

I encourage you to read the whole chapter.  There are so many practical truths that help us relate to one another in more gracious, loving, and merciful ways.  But I want to draw your attention to two key ideas. 

First, Jesus went to the well.  Jesus could have traveled a completely different way to get to Galilee.  It was rare for a Jew to travel willingly through Samaria anyway.  But Jesus had a purpose.  Jesus knew he needed to go through Samaria.  He was willing to sit at the well under the uncomfortable sun and start a conversation with a social outcast.  Jesus knew this woman would be coming to the well.  So, he intentionally went to the well. 

Where are the wells in your community?  No, I am not talking about the literal wells in backyards.  I am talking about the places where people go to receive what they need.  I consider soup kitchens, rehab centers, clothes closets, schools, hospitals, daycares, restaurants, coffee shops and recreation centers as wells.  I am sure there are more.  People go to these places to satisfy a perceived need in their lives.  People are there.  Often you are there, but are you there intentionally to help someone else with a greater need? 

Second, the woman went to the well because she needed water.  Jesus knew that she needed something more than a drink – she needed lifesaving water – she needed Jesus.  This woman was not coming to meet Jesus.  She was not going to the synagogue to confess her sins.  She came to the well at noon when no one else should be there to get water.  She received more than she expected.  She met Jesus, who came to meet her.  Jesus cared for this woman and shared the truth about himself with her.  He changed her life.  “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?” she proclaimed (John 4:29). 

Jesus intentionally went to the well to help someone with a greater need than the well could provide.  Have you considered which well you should intentionally visit to help someone with a greater need?  Perhaps you work in a well – police department, fire department, business, restaurant, school, library, nursing home (the list could go on) – and today as you go to work, would you pray for an opportunity to help someone meet Jesus?  Its time to intentionally go out of your way to visit a well.  Connect with someone who needs Jesus.