Who is Jesus Inviting You to Become?
Week Three: At the Well With No Bucket
“Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock” (John 4:11-12).
I am not sure if it is because we are living in these uncertain times, or if it is because of a longing I have been praying for, but verse 11 in the fourth chapter of John struck me in a way it never did before.
Though Jesus spoke to the multitudes on many occasions, there is something intimate about his one-on-one conversations.
In Week Two, Jesus takes his conversation with the woman at the well to a whole new level when he brings up living water. He moves the conversation from physical thirst to spiritual longing.
Let’s continue our dialogue about the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well in today’s devotional - Week Three: At the Well With No Bucket.
Growing up in a culture where questioning God was frowned upon, there is something beautiful about the woman at the well questioning Jesus in the fourth chapter of John.
When the Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water, Jesus started a conversation with her by asking her for a drink. She responded with a question that Jesus answered: “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water” (John 4:10).
His response to the Samaritan woman piqued her curiosity in which she raised even more questions.
“Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock” (John 4:11-12).
No bucket. Well too deep. Not greater than Jacob.
Imagine yourself in the place of the Samaritan woman at the well that day.
Make a list of what you are longing for.
1.
2.
3.
How might you have responded to Jesus?
How have you seen the bucket as a metaphor for how you think Jesus who is uncontainable be contained in satisfying your deepest longings?
We all can relate to the woman’s response to Jesus. It is hard to think that Jesus can give us what we need to satisfy our longings - living water - when he doesn’t even have a bucket.
On top of that, we think that our well is too deep. We think that the wells we are quenching our thirst with is greater than anything that Jesus can offer.
So, we stay stuck coming to wells that seem more appealing than Jesus - wells that we’ve become familiar with - wells that were never meant to satisfy.
If we are honest, we have been skeptical about Jesus’ claims or promises for our lives when he comes to the well without a bucket (so we think). It is hard to understand how he can satisfy us when we are tempted or have settled in throwing our buckets down the wrong wells.
Here’s the thing. It is okay to not understand all Jesus wants to teach you during one conversation. Eventually the woman at the well literally “ran” with what she knew about Jesus. Don’t let what you don’t know stop you from the beauty that is waiting for you on the other side.
Write out Ecclesiastes 3:11. How does it relate to your logic and reasoning of comprehending the promises of Jesus Christ?
The woman’s skepticism and lack of understanding didn’t rattle Jesus. Remember that Jesus was tired (John 4:6), but not too tired to be sidetracked from what he knew her heart longed for.
How do you respond to others when you are tired in comparison to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
What is refreshing to you about how Jesus kept pursuing the woman at the well with his love and patience despite her many questions?
Dear Jesus: Our wisdom will always fall short of your truth. Your Word tells us that you are the Truth. You are the Truth that we are longing for. No bucket can contain the beauty you have for us. No bucket can refresh us like your love. No bucket can contain you for you are uncontainable.
Are you tired of throwing your bucket at wells that were never meant to satisfy your longings? Ready to see the beautiful that Jesus has for you when you allow him to quench your thirst?
I would love to help you move from getting unstuck at the wrong wells looking for love, happiness, significance, identity, or purpose. Only a couple spaces left for life coaching in this amazing 7 Week Become Journey - Who is Jesus Inviting You To Become. New sessions will open up at the end of September.
Book a free 30-minute Clarity Call so we can discuss.
If you don’t see a time that fits your schedule, send me an email at info@becomingmorebeautiful.com to let me know some dates and times you are available.
Can’t wait to talk with you!
- Debbie