The middle of the day in the Eastern world was no time to be out and about, and for Jesus, wearied by a long journey, an ancient well offered a sheltered place for an afternoon siesta.
But His rest was soon disturbed by a woman come to draw water. She was a Samaritan, considered by Jews to be the scourge of the earth. And maybe she was even an outcast in her own village, fear or shame causing her to come alone to draw water in the heat of the day.
The Woman was shocked when Jesus spoke to her. "How can you, a Jew, talk to me?" She sputtered. But Jesus talked to her. And not just small talk to pass the day; He gave her His full attention, speaking to her personally; He showed her the truth about herself, but more than that, He revealed the truth about Himself.
I love this story for many reasons, one being that God often speaks in the Bible about His love for the down and outer- the miserable, the rejects- and here cements it again that He is willing to give the time of day to those considered worthless.
No matter how far we have fallen God isn't reticent to get among the muck and pull us out and up. Wherever we are, we can call upon Him and He will listen.
The Woman at one point said to Jesus: "Our ancestors worshipped at this place, but you Jews say we have to worship in Jerusalem." Listen to the answer:
John 4 verse 21 – "…A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth…"
Have you ever stopped to think about the wonder of this? We don't have to go to the temple to talk to God.
We don't have to make arduous pilgrimages to sacred places or be bound by time and place or the rules of men in talking to God. Nothing can separate us from God; at all times we can pray to our Father. Prison bars cannot lock up the spirit, always we are free to talk to God.
Anytime. Anyplace. Anywhere.
Thomas Devenish lives in Hobart, Tasmania. One of nine children, He works as a motion graphics editor and enjoys photography and the creative arts.
Thomas Devenish's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/thomas-devenish.html