***** (continued)
First, let’s look at a little background.
Where did this story take place? Outside the Samaritan town of Sychar, by the well of Jacob. Sychar was between Jerusalem to the south and Nazareth in Galilee to the north.
When did this occur? About noon, not a good time to be fetching water.
Who were the Samaritans? They were a despised group of half Jew, half foreigner. They were not welcomed to worship at Jerusalem, the Jewish center of worship, so they set up their own place of worship at Mount Gerizim, which was near the town of Sychar.
Who was this woman? She was a despised Samaritan and a woman who had had many failed marriages. She was an outcast, which may explain why she was going to the well alone at noon, the hottest part of the day.
Why would Jesus choose to have a meaningful conversation with a Samaritan, a woman with such a poor reputation? Jesus said “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) Also “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Jesus began the conversation by setting her up: He asked her for a drink of water, so that he could talk about his living water, and WHO he really was. Imagine with me some of her thoughts;
Why are you a Jew asking me, a Samaritan woman for water? Jewish men, especially teachers, do not speak to women.
Okay who are you? You can’t be greater than our ancestors.
Living water: yes, please. It sounds wonderful!
Call my husband? Ouch! That is a sore point. This Jewish man knows too much about me, he knows my failures. He knows I am needy. I guess he must be a prophet! Let’s talk about worship.
But Jesus teaches her about true worship in spirit and truth. Location of worship is not important.
Okay, when the Messiah comes, he will make everything clear.
Jesus: That’s ME!
What!!! I am talking to THE Messiah!!! This is news too good to keep to myself! This is amazing!
And leaving her water pot, she went to share her good news and bring people to meet Jesus.

Jesus spoke to her needy, thirsty heart. He revealed something that he often kept hidden from others: who he really was—the Messiah!, the Savior of the world. Jesus knows our hearts and our deepest needs even better than we do. He is trustworthy. He is not embarrassed by our reputation or who we are. What are your deepest needs right now? Are you willing to leave them with Jesus, trust him and taste the living water?

He is waiting at the well for you!