Best Gift Ever

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Mine is a monthly coffee subscription from my favorite coffee roasters in New Jersey. Living 1200 miles away from home, this pound of dark roast beans that I grind every morning, pour hot water over, and mix with creamer is my favorite way to start my day. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

The gift of God is like that. But even better.

Jesus is speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. The woman was shocked that He spoke with her at all, and this is Jesus’ response. 

Jesus is thirsty, and so is she. You’ve been outside on a hot day when all you can think about is a tall glass of water. Water satisfies. Water refreshes. Water cleanses. Water is essential for life. It was hard to get water in Jesus’ day. They didn’t have faucets and filters that provided water easily and endlessly. They had to draw water up from wells. 

Jesus alludes here that He has water that is better than the water she’s drawing, and that this water is alive and flows endlessly from its Source. It’s so much easier to access than pulling up from a well. This living water is better than that which she’s gulped on a hot day in the Middle East. It satisfies, refreshes, cleanses, and it does so much more! It brings life. This Living Water is Jesus.

Jesus also alludes that He is the gift from God. Implied here is that God gives. He’s the Provider. Another translation describes God here as “generous.” Think about a generous gift that you’ve been given. You didn’t pay for it. You didn’t earn it. Maybe you didn’t even deserve it. Gifts are an outpouring of love from the giver to the recipient. God loves this woman so much that He sent Jesus, the Living Water, as His gift. God loves you the same way!

Jesus is available to you in abundance. He satisfies your soul. He refreshes your weary heart. He cleanses you. He is essential for life. 

My morning coffee is essential to my day. But before I drink it, the first thing I do is drink a glass of water. In fact, I have a 40 oz water bottle that I fill up twice throughout the day. More than coffee, I need water, and so do you. The gift of living water is offered freely to us. Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev 22:17)

PAUSE: Does your soul need to be satisfied? Are there areas of your life that need refreshing? Do you need to be cleansed from any sin? Take a moment to reflect on your mental, emotional, and spiritual condition. Ask the gift of God, the living water to satisfy, refresh and cleanse you.

PRACTICE: Fill up a water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day. Every time you take a sip, remind yourself that Jesus is with you and He is the Living Water that brings life.

PRAY: Jesus, I thank You that You are the Living Water. Thank You for the promise that You gave to this woman that we can apply to our lives today. Forgive me when I have turned to other sources looking for satisfaction or healing or a solution. I want to turn to You. I’m asking You first. Satisfy my soul, refresh my heart, cleanse me of my sin and I will walk in the newness of life that You offer. In Jesus Name Amen