Water. John 4:5-42

This sermon was preached on Sunday 24th February 2008 by Ann Batchelor who is a member of Saint Martin's and is training for the Ministry of Reader in the Church of England.

Water.

We can’t live without water.

In the children’s hymn Water of Life it tells us how important water is.

The first verse is easy to identify with. Anyone with a conservatory which has a glass or plastic roof can easily imagine the sound of the rain falling. We seem to have had more than our fair share of rain over the last year so the sound of rain for some produces the re-action O not more rain! However come the summer we will probably be told to save water in case of a drought.
The second verse could easily describe the work of water aid. A charity which is dedicated to help people escape the poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation.
The well shaft would be similar to that which the Samaritan would have been visiting when she met Jesus. That such a meeting would have taken place is astonishing. A Jewish man would not have allowed himself to be alone with a woman let alone talk to her. In doing so he would have laid himself open to the risk of impurity, the subject of gossip and being drawn into immorality. The woman was also a Samaritan and the Jews would have nothing to do with them. What was even more surprising was that Jesus asked her for a drink. A complete no no.

Finally the women had a bad character. Jesus was obviously aware of this when she told him she had no husband as he told her that she had had 5 and the man she was currently with was not her husband. This would have been the reason why she visited the well at that particular time of day. She was unlikely to meet anyone who knew her, her past or her immoral lifestyle. This also explains the disciples reaction when they returned.

Any encounter with Jesus has an element of surprise. The woman was eqully surprised when Jesus asked her for a drink. Jesus’ reply that if she knew who he was SHE would have asked him for a drink and he would have provided her with living water.

It was being offered living water which puzzled the woman. During Jesus time living water referred to running water in a stream or river. Not from a well or pond. It’s water that is fresh and clean rather than water that’s been left standing and getting stagnant.

Jesus makes it clear that the living water he is talking about is something quite different. He is talking about a signpost, a guide. The water he is offering will not only quench the thirst but will refresh you with new life which his coming to the world brings. A life that will change, with God’s help.

The woman doesn’t know exactly what Jesus is talking about but she wants to know more. The woman comes to realise that because she has heard Jesus herself she knows that he is indeed the saviour of the world. He provides the living water.

Nobody can live who hasn’t any water.
When the land is dry, nothing much grows.
Jesus gives us life, if we drink the living water
Sing it so that everybody knows.

This last verse explains how the Samaritan woman must have felt. Her life did not amount to much. She met Jesus and realised what he was offering. She gained a new life through him. She went away and told others. IT changed all areas of her life.

When we accept the living water we must be prepared that it will change every area of our lives.
Without Jesus in our lives we can not live life fully. We need to nurture this in ourselves and others. We don’t need to sing out loud but by our thoughts, words and actions we can show Gods love for us.