John 4:3-4 NKJV “He (Jesus) left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.”

Days of travel had left Jesus exhausted, so as the Savior rested by the well, His disciples went in search of food. In the heat of the day, the well sat deserted and forgotten, but Jesus waited patiently for her arrival. He knew she would come. He needed to see her for she desperately needed Him.

The woman for whom Jesus waited also felt exhaustion as the sun beamed down. But the task of drawing water lay before her. So, placing one pot on her head and one in her arms, she headed to the well, unaware her life was about to change forever.

From a distance, she could make out the outline of a stranger. Her deserted spot was no longer hers alone. Just perhaps, whoever sat at the well at this ungodly hour was an outcast also.

However, as His form came into focus, she realized He was Jewish. Never could she have imagined this Jew, who sat at her well, would be anxious to speak with her. She was a Samaritan. She was forbidden territory.

But speak, He did, and her heart cringed as His words divulged every shameful detail of her sad existence.

“How is it, Sir, that you reveal these darkest parts of my life?” she surely asked. “Do you also see the deepest secrets buried deep within me?”

She braced for His scorn, but none came. Instead, His words offered hope. His voice filled with respect. His gestures displayed compassion. And as she stood at her old familiar well, she realized she was standing at a new place – a place called grace. Little did she know, His grace was about to change who she was and who she would forever be. She had met the Messiah and oh, how sweet, was this deep well of grace.

Father God, bring us to your well of grace.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane