The well is deep, but Jesus is deeper still

 "The woman saith not him, 'Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: From whence then hast thou that living water'"? John 4:11

There are two people in this story. They both have a mission at the well. For the Samaritan woman, her mission is obtaining water. Because of her lifestyle, perhaps she is ashamed to come to the well in the evening, when the other women of town would come to draw, and, well, catch up with the news of the day. If one divorce was considered shameful, how about five divorces and the man she is living with now is not her husband? So though it is extremely hot, she prefers the heat to the cold stares she is used to in town. 

But as she is coming to draw, a Jewish man approaches her, and asks for a drink of water. Of course, this was unheard of. The Jews simply wouldn't ask a Samaritan for even the smallest thing. But this Jew has another mission, one that she simply could not imagine. He was there to offer her a different kind of water. She did not get it. Her whole paradigm for that day was fulfillment of her household's need for water. Get in, get out. No time to chat. Then crawl back into the hole she'd dug for herself. 

Jesus' invitation to her calls beyond her immediate physical need. Of course, this is incomprehensible to her. She doesn't get it. My need, sir, is for some of the water in this well. This well is deep, and you have nothing to draw water with. Just how are you going to help me?

Saints, I think we've all been there. We all have needs that drive us to pursue the things of this world. If we encounter Jesus at the well of our need, do we expect to be filled? Do we believe that Jesus has the kind of water that will function? Maybe we've lost our jobs, and have no visible means of support. Or perhaps a loved one has died. We may nearly be dead with thirst, but what is this man offering? Living water is nice, but hey, Jesus, I haven't had anything to drink in days. Are you mocking me? If I don't get water, I die. Any talk about your living water must wait till my thirst is quenched. 

But the Samaritan woman, once she gets over the shock of being exposed, realizes that the water Jesus drew for her was permanently quenching her shame. She knew that she had encountered Messiah, and she runs into town to tell them about a man who told her everything she'd done, yet nevertheless loved her, and set her free from a life of sin and shame. She had taken the living water, and was forever free. Will we choose the same?

"Ho, everyone that thirtieth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath money, come ye, but and eat. Yea, some, buy wine and milk without money and milk without price! Why are you spending your money on what is not bread, and you labor, for that which does not satisfy. Listen to me carefully - eat that which is good" Is 55:1-2