John 4:28-29 So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city and said to the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?"
The Samaritan woman came to the well to fill her water pot, but left with her soul filled with living water. Once she had heard that Jesus was the Christ, filling the water pot was irrelevant. She left it. Have we left our water pots?
The water pot represented the means by which the woman collected something she thought she needed from the world. She needed water, and the water pot allowed her to have temporary access to what she needed but would never fully satisfy. The pot had to be filled repeatedly. We all have had our water pots. The woman used men like she used water pots. Men can use women in the same way. We have electronic devices which store up information and provide access to temporary satisfaction from the well of the world. We go to the well of the world, download what we think will satisfy our desires, and drink until we need or want more. We use our cars and trucks to carry our groceries which last us for a while, then we have to return for another supply. There’s nothing wrong with the water pots. What is important is that we not think that life consists of what the world has to offer us. I’ve found that only Jesus can cause one to leave his or her water pot. Once our souls are transformed into a water pot containing living water, our earthly water pots can be left.
I suggest it’s a matter of love. Love for the things of this world can only be overcome by a greater love—the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus. Jesus spoke of this reality in Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” The spirit of idolatry masquerades as love. Anything that takes Jesus’ place is an idol, a substitute, an object of love that cannot satisfy. It might taste good and refreshing for the moment, but the power is in the repeated drinking that becomes habitual. Before long, you think you can’t live without it, and you’re hooked. How you get access to it is your water pot. You love something in this world more than you do Jesus. It’s a matter of love for the substance the water pot contains. What’s your water pot? What is it filled with? Has it taken the place of Christ in your life?
The woman probably never looked at her water pot the same way as she had before. Certainly, when she returned, she filled the pot with water and used it daily. However, every time she came to the well, don’t you think she thanked God for the living water she received on that day? The trip back to the well probably became a daily reminder of the new life and love she received from Christ.
We live to love with Jesus because we have experienced the fullness of His love. Our souls are satisfied with the living water that never runs dry. We overcome idolatry with a higher and greater love. Being filled with His love, we are able to leave our water pots and go tell the world about the One who alone fills the empty souls of men. We are members of the “Come and See” community. “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?”
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
