Sunday Devotional

“Max’s water dish is empty!”

My voice echoed back to me through the suddenly silent house. Funny how fast kids can disappear when there are chores to be done.

Heaving a sigh, I grabbed his dish, gave it a good scrub, and replenished the water. Max watched me the whole time, his eyes fastened to the bowl and his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

“Poor puppy,” I crooned. “You were thirsty, huh?” I set down the dish and watched as he lapped at the cool water.

“Good grief, Max,” I said, picking up the bowl when he’d finished and filling it again so I wouldn’t have to do it in the morning. “You were thirsty.”

Eyes fixed on me adoringly, his tail thumped against the tile floor—his way of showing appreciation. All of this reminded me of another story, and of living water which Jesus said once a person partook of, would cause them never to thirst again. Suddenly, I realized what a gift it is that Jesus recognized my condition and took care to see to my need. And I’ll be careful. . .that Max’s bowl is never dry.

John 4:1-13 (New International Version)

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

1The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10Jesus 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."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,