John 4:1-42

Today's reading contains the story of the woman at the well. The woman wants to fill her jar with water, but Jesus offers her "life-giving water" (4:10). She is so excited by her exchange with Jesus that she leaves her water jar at the well so she can run back into town and tell people she has met the Messiah.

In Biblical days, water meant work. You had to walk a fair distance to the well, carrying a large jug. You then had to draw the water out of the well, and then walk the same distance back home with the now-heavier water-filled jug. You had to be careful not to spill the water, or else you'd have to do the whole trip over again.

But the woman is so excited at meeting Jesus that she just leaves the jar at the well. For her, it is more important to spread the message of Jesus than it is to bring water back to her house.

Sometimes, I think we need to lay down our practical concerns, put away our work and burdens, and just spend a little time getting excited about the Good News of Jesus.

This woman knew that the jar would still be there when she got back. She knew she could pick up the water later. She wasn't being irresponsible or foolish. Instead, she was just taking a moment to celebrate the joy of connecting with Jesus. She understood that the practical things will always be there, but the Living Messiah was a blessing to be shared with others.

Like the hymn says:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)