Mensa Otabil - Pleading For The Living Water
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We’re still looking at the story of the woman at the well and her conversation with Jesus. They’ve made some progress from the time Jesus asked for water, and a debate has been going on between Jesus and this woman. For the first time, the woman asked for water; she pleads for the living water. In verse 15 of John chapter 4, the woman said to Him, «Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst nor come here to draw.»
So for the first time, this woman asks Jesus for something. Remember when the conversation started? Jesus was the one who asked her for water, and she didn’t give it to Him. Then Jesus offered living water, and she wouldn’t take it. She wouldn’t give; she wouldn’t get. This has been going on because she’s trying to figure out what this offer is. Who is this man I’m talking to? Is He for real? Is what He’s offering real?
After Jesus explained the difference between the well water she is drawing from and the living water Jesus offers, finally she gets it. There’s a difference between what Jesus is offering and what she’s doing, but she doesn’t get the full picture. She still doesn’t fully understand, but at least she gets it well enough to say, «Lord, give me this water.» She wants it, but she still thinks it is literal water. The reason she wants it is that she doesn’t want to be doing this journey back and forth. She thinks, «Just give me this water; it’s better than what I have.» She did not want to come to the well every day, but she still hasn’t realized that the water Jesus gives is different from literal water.
Like this woman, a lot of people see the offer of salvation very differently. Some people see it as an escape from the responsibilities of life. Like this woman, they think, «I don’t want to go back and forth.» For some, coming to Jesus means all their problems will be solved. They think, «I don’t need to work again; I don’t need to do this; I don’t want to do that.» They believe Jesus will solve all their problems, provide them with money, and make them the richest person. They interpret salvation in very physical, material terms. Some want an easy life, and for others, salvation is an escape from their fears, especially in our part of the world, where people are so afraid of demonic powers and ancestral spirits. They see Jesus as relief from these fears.
Some people view salvation as an escape from a lonely life; they want to join a community. They want to be part of the church because they see their friends doing something together. Why are you following Jesus? For this woman, she’s starting to understand, but she still doesn’t get it. She thinks the water is still physical water that will make her life easier. She doesn’t know that what Jesus is talking about, although it’s called living water, is no water at all; it represents spiritual life.
So many times, we come to Jesus because of something physical that we want from Him. But no matter what our needs are, even if we get it wrong, Jesus still receives us when we make the offer to come to Him. When we come to Him, He will move us from our wrong pursuits into the right pursuits. Jesus understood that she had a desire; she pleaded for the water because she wanted satisfaction, a better life, and to see a change in her life. She wanted to trust the man who was talking to her.
There are times when we are sharing the gospel with people; they may resist for a very long time, but their breakthrough moment comes when they say, «Okay, pray with me» or «Pray for me,» or «Give me a Bible,» or «I want to go to church with you.» They haven’t made the ultimate decision, but that pleading is a first step to show they’re ready to give Jesus a chance. That’s what happened with this woman; she’s ready to give Jesus a chance.
Tomorrow, we’re going to listen to what Jesus said in response to this. It is quite dramatic what Jesus said in response to her desire to give Him a chance. How did Jesus respond? We’ll find out tomorrow.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You satisfy the thirst of all who come to You. Fill my heart with Your living water. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.» We will continue tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.