Read John 3:31–4:38
In John 3:31–4:38, we encounter one of the most beautiful and profound moments in the Gospels: Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman wasn’t a figure of power, success, or moral purity. She was a five-time widow or divorcee, drawing water in the heat of the day, likely to avoid the judgmental stares of others. As a Samaritan, she was part of a group despised by the Jews. And as a woman with a complicated past, she was likely an outcast even in her own community. By all accounts, she was humbled by life’s circumstances, carrying the weight of rejection and shame.
Yet, it is to this woman that Jesus chooses to reveal Himself as the Messiah for the very first time. Think about that for a moment. Jesus doesn’t first announce His identity to religious leaders, the rich, or the powerful, but to an outcast—a Samaritan woman who was broken and weary. In this encounter, Jesus shows us that His grace is not reserved for the elite or the morally righteous but is extended to all, especially those who are broken and humbled.
What’s even more remarkable is that, through this woman, many people in her village come to believe in Jesus. Her testimony, born out of her personal encounter with the Savior, becomes a beacon of hope to others. Jesus’ choice to reveal His glory through her reflects His heart for the marginalized and the outcast.
Her story continues to resonate with us today. It reminds us that no one is too broken or too far gone to be used by God. Jesus sees our worth, even when the world doesn’t, and He chooses the humbled to display His glory. Our pasts don’t define us. Our encounter with Jesus defines us. Just as He met the Samaritan woman in her need, He meets us in ours, offering living water that brings eternal life.
Begin praying with Psalm 40:2:
“He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.”