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Saturday, February 18
An empty water jar balances precariously on her head. Her face is veiled not only to avoid the searing stares of Sychar’s society but also to shield her from the rumors of a ruined reputation. Too many husbands have drained her nuptial well and now she attempts to fill it with another, an unbetrothed suitor. She must go now to the watering hole to draw from its depths the water to quench her parched thirst, a thirst that lies deeper than the surface of her tongue.
Slipping through the back streets, she shuffles her way out the city’s gate to fulfill her daily duty. As the sun beats down with its heaving swells of heat, she is forced to come to the well of the ancient fathers at the noon hour. The other women choose to draw water during the cooler hours of the day, coming later to remove their veils, to relax, to laugh, and to gossip, usually about this woman.
The heat of the day diametrically differs from the chill of passion that has penetrated this shunned woman’s being. The empty water jug she now carries on her head parallels the emptiness of her heart.
She hides behind a veil of secrecy, as she tries desperately to become invisible. As she approaches the well, she peers out from behind her veil, and, seeing a man who sits on the well’s edge, her eyes meet the eyes of this stranger.
He looks deep into the longing of her soul and sees a parched and depleted well. She sees acceptance beyond anything she has ever experienced.
“Give me a drink,” he asks.
“But you’re a Jew,” she says. “Why do you ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”
“If you only knew. I would satisfy your hollow yearning from a living well, teeming with waters of life that never run dry.”
“Oh, sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
“Call your husband to come here also,” he says.
“But, sir,” she whispers, hanging her head, “I have no husband.”
This stranger, peering into her lifeless eyes hiding within the veil, now seems to know her so well, as he recounts the depth of her past existence.
“Sir, you must be a prophet,” she says. Yet, she discerns him to be more than a prophet, for there is no hint of judgment or condemnation in his voice, only the love of the ages.
Throwing off the invisible veil over her eyes, she sees this man for who he really is and receives the love for which she has so recklessly searched. She drops her water pot by the well and runs back through the city gate to tell the others of the everlasting love she has found in the man called The Messiah.
Have you dropped all to tell others about the everlasting love you have found in Christ?
“Go…and tell…”
(My mind has rusted shut. Hope you didn't mind a rerun.)
It is in the telling of others that we are freed from our isolation, our aloneness, isn't it! Beautiful, Lynn, this insight into the woman at the well!
I so love how you retell these scenes to give them freshness to us. Thank you, Lynn.
Beautiful Lynn!
I had the priveledge of introducing someone to Jesus this past week and praying with them to be saved on Valentines Day! He received the gift and I received a new brother in Christ:)
Blessings to you~
You always make these characters come alive. Thanks, Lynn.
A good story always bears repeating!And, we need the reminder that God knows us, every intimate detail, and still loves us, blemishes and all. I find tremendous comfort in that.
Thanks! This is a great story!
Beautiful post Lynn! Nothing wrong with reruns! (lol) Isn't it wonderful how our Lord gave us access through the veil to Him directly? What a great parallel to this story and hope for us as undesirables in this world... :)
I don't mind re-runs Lynn, some stories need to be told more than once ;)
Thank you, my sweet friend Maryleigh. You have such a precious heart that overflows with such touching thoughts. Bless you!
Oh, Carol, thank you so much! You always bless me. Blessings back to you!
Kristin, you always amaze me. Your heart of love is shared with so many. I rejoice with you! May the Lord bless all you do to serve Him1
Dawn, thank you, thank you! Your comment truly blesses me. Bless you!
Thank you, Ceci! Always love that you visit my humble domain! Bless you!
Aritha, thank you so much for taking time to visit and comment. I appreciate it. Blessings to you!
Amen, Deborah! Thank you, sweetie, for always leaving such great comments! Bless you!
Thank you, Marja! I'm so glad my reruns are appreciated. You're the best! Blessings to you!