The Woman at The Well - Mother's Day 2024
Today is Mother's Day and we will be talking about wells. In the Bible, wells are very important.
Genesis 16:13-14 NLT
[13] Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” [14] So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 21:14-19 NLT
[14] So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba. [15] When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. [16] Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. [17] But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. [18] Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” [19] Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.
Many times it was women who carried the water. Wells provided a social setting for women. Together they would perform the essential task of getting water for their families.
Often women/moms carry the containers that dispense love, piece, hope.
Jesus was traveling through Samaria.
John 4:13-15 NLT
[13] Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” [15] “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
He breaks all sorts of cultural norms talking with this woman. Jews did not talk to Samarians. Men did not talk to women. She is out at noon when it is hot, which indicates she must be avoiding the other women.
John 4:16-18 NLT
[16] “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. [17] “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— [18] for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
What is the real story? Why has she had 5 husbands? She has been returning to the well of men. Of relationships. Of wanting to feel loved.
John 4:20-24 NLT
[20] So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” [21] Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. [22] You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. [23] But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. [24] For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
She brings up the well of religion. Dead legalism will not sustain or save. We often go back to that well though. We want a formula for the good life.
Jesus was emptied for us so he can fill what is empty inside all of us.
Jesus turns well searchers into spring containers.