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We all thirst for something. Thirst is like an appetite. It can be quenched, but only temporarily. How frustrating it is, when that thing we think will quench our thirst disappears and we are left in the same condition we were in before we went looking: thirsty. There are so many places we go to quench our thirst. We go to the well of relationships, career, beauty, wealth, popularity and significance, always searching for that one thing that will finally quench our thirst. Although these waters certainly can quench our thirst in some way, it is only ever temporarily. Before long we are back, searching for the next well along the journey of life that might just live up to its clever marketing slogan.rnrnThe Samaritan woman who came to the well in John 4 was also searching to quench her thirst. When she came to the well that day for physical water, she had no idea that the person who was waiting for her was actually the spring of life.rnrnrnrnPicture this:rnrnA Samaritan woman is trudging through the dusty countryside below the hot midday sun, lugging a large jar and bucket. She makes the journey to reach a well that supplies her community with an essential commodity: water. Why does she make this trip now, under the hot, beating sun? It was custom to collect water in the early mornings or late afternoons; the cooler temperature a small improvement for the return trip of the traveller, weary under the weight of water. The fact that the Samaritan woman takes the journey alone and at this time of the day, tells us that she is either opting for anonymity, or is unwelcome by her community in this daily chore. As we find out later in the story, she is a 5-time divorcee and currently living unwed with her most recent partner.rnrnHaving just asked his disciples to go searching for food in the nearby town, Jesus waits for the woman to arrive for their divine appointment. Considering this was not the usual route taken by the Jews, it shows us the intentionality of Jesus in this moment in time. Jews commonly avoided Samaria, as the Samaritans were despised by the Jewish nation. Jesus had no time for this kind of prejudice, given his mission was to redeem mankind, regardless of race, gender, or status.rnrnThe Samaritan Woman comes to the well with an empty jar, alone, despised and outcast, on her daily errand to collect the water that would quench her physical thirst.rnrnJesus sits, waiting for this divine appointment to take place. An appointment to share with the woman a different kind of water. Living water. Water that would fulfil her greatest need. A need she didn’t even know she had. Jesus came to offer water that would quench her thirst permanently.rnrnrnrnWe are a lot more like the Samaritan Woman than we sometimes care to admit. We carry around our empty jars, searching to quench our thirst, often looking in all the wrong places. We come empty, weak, broken, hurt, helpless, rejected.rnrnrnrnJesus stands right beside you today, waiting for you to come with your empty jar because he wants to fill you beyond measure. He longs to fill you until you are bubbling over. He wants you to leave your divine appointment with Him feeling full, strong, healed, comforted, rescued and accepted. Jesus offers a new life and way of living. Once you have experienced the living water, you will never settle for dry religion again