Are you parched spiritually?

Have you ever been parched; felt like you were “dying” of thirst? Maybe after a workout or a run or working in the yard? What do you crave in that moment? A cup of coffee? A tall glass of milk? A glass of warm buttermilk? Of course not! There is only one thing that will satisfy your thirst in that moment… water! That’s what you really want and that’s what you really need!

In John 4, Jesus has a conversation with a woman about satisfying her thirst; but not her physical thirst… her spiritual thirst. He is going to offer her the only thing that will quench that thirst… “living water.”

The truth is, all of us are thirsty; in fact, we are parched spiritually. And there is only one way to have that thirst quenched. It is with the “living water” we receive when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and the life-change that follows. During this conversation with a Samaritan woman by a well, Jesus tells us how He satisfies our spiritual thirst.

1) Jesus meets you right where you are! (John 4:9)

We know this woman is not highly regarded in her community because she came to this well in the middle of the day when no one else was there. Gathering at the well in the morning and evening was an important social activity for women. For her to avoid going when other were there tells us she is a social outcast, shunned by others. Why? Because she was a notorious sinner.

The truth is, we are all sinners. (Rom. 3:23). You may think you have made far too many poor choices in your life for God to care about you, let alone want to connect with you. But this encounter makes clear that Jesus is willing to meet you right where you are! Everybody else in the neighborhood turned their back; but not Jesus. He engaged with her, met her right where she was.

2) Jesus meets you right where you are, but He doesn’t leave you there! (John 4:10)

This woman came to this well to draw water to quench her thirst for that day. Jesus is ready to offer her “living water” that will quench her spiritual thirst for eternity! This phrase “living water” has a lot of metaphorical significance in the Old Testament and seems to be a reference to the Holy Spirit, which is received by all who believe. (Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 16:13)

Jesus used this woman’s need for water to illustrate her need for spiritual transformation; the same spiritual transformation that we all need and experience as we grow and develop as fully devoted disciples. When this woman fully committed to follow Christ, He began to change her life. He does the same for us!

3) Jesus opens the door for you to worship wherever you are as a Believer. (John 4:21-24)

To this point, Jews, to whom God had revealed Himself, worshiped in a specific location - the temple in Jerusalem. But Jesus makes clear in this conversation, that a time was coming when worship wouldn’t be tied to one location, but could take place wherever a Believer is, or wherever Believers gather, because that is where the Holy Sprit would dwell; no longer in a temple, but in the hearts and lives of all who believe.

You can worship any time and any place, including early in the morning during your personal bible study, singing worship songs in the car at the top of your lungs, or gathered together on Sundays with your Watermark Church family.

4) Jesus makes clear that He is the One you thirst for - the Messiah! (John 4:25-26)

Jesus leaves no doubt He is the Messiah the Jews and the Samaritans had been looking for! With this profound and powerful declaration, Jesus makes clear that He is the One Who provides salvation! (Acts 4:12).

We don’t have to guess or wonder if Jesus is the Messiah. The question is only whether you believe Him or not? If not, then you must acknowledge “He is a liar, a lunatic or the devil of Hell”, to paraphrase author C.S. Lewis. Who do you say He is? Believe what He says.

5) Jesus inspires you to share the Gospel with others who are thirsty! (John 4:29;34-35; 39)

This woman couldn’t wait to share what she had found in Jesus. Many believed because of her powerful testimony too! Jesus tells his disciples, and us, that the fields are ripe for harvest! Chances are good you have people in your sphere of influence right now who are far from God. Will you share Christ with them? Make 2022 a year of harvest for Christ’s sake. Invite someone to join you for worship at Watermark!

For much more, click here to listen to: Light in the Darkness - Part 4 - Satisfying Your Thirst.