18-SamaritanWoman-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Vol. II: Dream Maker

Samaritan Woman
THE UNTOUCHABLE

April AD 27
Sychar, Samaria [1]

�� Her name is Istar.� She was born among the outcasts in an area of Palestine off limits to decent people ~ decent Jews, that is.� She will meet Jesus later today.

�� Meanwhile, on Jesus' way up north back to Galilee from the province of Judea, he decides to take a different route.� It is not the usual route through Perea.� When he does not turn at the fork in the road to go around this half-breed Samaritan province, his new aides begin hoping they're not headed to where they think they are. [2]

�� There are some untouchables we must touch, Jesus finally explains with a grin.� But we've got to hurry so we arrive at the same time at the same spot on earth. [3]

�� Indeed, it is a small spot.� It is a well.

�� They wait for him to spring it on them.� Which spot on earth?� Which well?

�� He knows what they're thinking.� It's harvest time there, he adds, even though it is spring.

�� "Uh, pardon me, Jesus," Nathanael interjects before they go up the wrong road too far.� "Are you sure this is what you want?� To come in contact with those Samaritans?� Sure, they believe in Jehovah, your father, but they believe in all the other gods too.� Everyone knows that." [4]

�� Jesus does not reply.� He just keeps walking and leading them in the wrong direction.

�� "Of course it's impossible to please all those gods at once.� They all have different creeds."� Studious Philip has studied up on some of their gods. "And they surely can't all be the same god as some of them say, because they approve of different things."

�� Nathaniel agrees.� "They can only pretend they please them all at the same time."

�� "Those Samaritans will never change," Peter adds.� "They've been that way for centuries.� We Jews tried to teach them better, but they were stubborn."

�� Despite the arguments, Jesus stubbornly heads north straight into the heart of paganism.� Into the throat of Samaria.� Got to get to the pagan polytheists.� Steadily he goes up the highway passing people headed south.� Being nearly run down by uncaring Roman soldiers headed everywhere.�

�� Never stopping to rest.� They must hurry.� Istar will be waiting for Jesus.� She does not know it yet.

�� It is late morning day three.� They do not veer off the course set by their sometimes strange leader.

�� Come on, Jesus.� Let's not get carried away.� Samaritan beliefs are strange.� Sure, they believe in the God of the Bible - kind of.� But they also believe in all those nature spirits, and think they answer prayers too.�� It's a nationality thing, and you'll never break it down.

�� The sun climbs high.� Time to look for a place to rest and eat.� He does not stop.�

�� "Uh, Jesus," Andrew says, "we didn't bring anything along for lunch, and don't have any water.� We have a few figs, but that's not a meal."

�� He does not seem to hear.

�� Really, Jesus.� We should leave those polytheists alone to themselves.� They don't want to associate with us and we don't want to associate with them.� Leave things alone, Jesus.� Don't go stirring up.

�� "Hey, Jesus.� We're getting really hungry.� How about stopping somewhere for at least a loaf of bread?"

�� But Jesus keeps walking.� Then, just as the sun marks noon, they reach an ancient city.� Jesus stops, grins, and announces, We're here!

�� Here?� What here?� Where's here?� We've never been in Samaria before.� Where in the world are we?

�� Jesus faces them as a group.� They notice the bags under his eyes and the red blood lines of strain.� He's exhausted.� Even a little dizzy.� He's gone way too long without food and drink.� They all have, but he did not eat breakfast this morning.� Said he was in a hurry.� He's always in a hurry.�

�� Oh Jesus.� Don't punish yourself like this.� No one is worth rushing to like you've been doing.� No one's worth that much.� Especially Samaritan polytheists.� You've got to be out of your mind, Jesus.� Take it easy.

�� Here's my stop, he announces.

�� They see nothing but the city well and no people.� Sane people don't wander away from home at noon.�

�� You, Jesus?� By yourself?� What are you supposed to do out here by the well alone.� And, by the way, where are we supposed to go while you do whatever you've got in mind?

�� Just look at this well.� Our ancestor dug this well.� Jacob, Abraham's grandson.� Then he left this land to his son, Joseph.� Jacob actually drank from this well. [5]

�� Jesus' aides stand there and stare in wonder, their imagination racing.� They had no idea.� And amid their thoughts, some conclude that perhaps Jesus is checking things out so he can reclaim the territory for the Jews.� After all, he's going to be their new king.

�� "Go, now, into Sychar and get some lunch.� Bring something back for me, if you don't mind.� Go on.� I'll be right here waiting for you when you get back." [6]

�� His friends out of sight, Jesus slumps down by the well in exhaustion.� He's too thin.� He doesn't eat like he should.� He pushes himself too hard.� What's the hurry?� He's got a life time ahead of him. [7]

��

�� As he sits, a woman arrives and begins drawing water.� She eyes Jesus suspiciously.��

�� The woman is Istar.� Istar has had a difficult life so far.� But she is strong.� Stronger than some people give her credit for.� Others admire the way she's hung on through so many personal tragedies for so long.�

�� Like most other women, Istar was married as a teenager. �She had a couple of kids.� But then her husband was killed in a brawl.� Later she remarried and had another child.� This husband joined the militia, went off to war to fight skirmishes against the foreign invaders, and was killed.� Husband number three came along....� Then four....� Then five....� She'd really had bad luck with husbands.

�� Istar has a bad reputation in town.� That's why she comes to the well alone.� Not only don't the Jews like her because she is a Samaritan, but her own people don't like her.� So, to spare herself further grief, she comes to the well at high noon when the others aren't likely to be there.�

�� Jesus, having rested briefly but enough, returns to his feet.

�� "Give me a drink!" he asks in almost a whisper.� His countenance seems so shrunken.� His voice a little shaky.� He certainly doesn't look or sound like a threat. Looks like he could really use a drink about now. [8]

�� Istar, not the shrinking violet type, is surprised to see a Jewish man in such an emaciated state.� But she doesn't one hundred percent trust him either.� After all, he's a Jew.� She thinks she'll have a little fun with him while he's so tired.� Give him a little dose of the Jews' medicine.

�� "You, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?� You Jews think you're too good for us Samaritans.� You're so holier than thou."� Then she raises her water jar to her lips and takes a deep drink, much of the water spilling out onto her clothes and the ground. [9]

�� Jesus likes spunk.� Jesus knows all about Istar.� Istar doesn't know that.� As though her drink quenches his own thirst, a burst of adrenalin shoots through his body.� Ah yes, Istar.� You've got potential!

�� But we've got to get rid of some mutual prejudice first.� Istar, I'm humbling myself before you, a Samaritan, even though our race looks down on your race.� Istar, can you humble yourself now in mutual respect, even though your race looks down on our race?

�� "If you knew who really asked you for a drink, you would have requested that I be the one to give you the water - living water." [10]

�� "Sir...."�

�� Suddenly this tired stranger is talking like he deserves a sir.� Istar senses there's something different about this man.� "Sir.� You have nothing with you to draw water out of this deep well.� So, where in the world are you going to get your so-called living water?� Up your sleeve?" [11]

�� Sharp woman.� She notices everything.

�� But a little more taunting seems in order anyway.� Just can't resist.� This is starting to be a little fun.� These Jew men think they're sooooo superior.

�� "Don't tell me you think you're smarter than our mutual ancestor Jacob who dug this well and gave the water to his family and herds."

�� Now, Istar.� Jacob wasn't your ancestor.� He was a Jew.� So let's get off this racial thing.�� [12]

�� Jesus puts his hands behind him and hefts himself up far enough to sit on the edge of the well.� Her water pot is sitting on the edge too.� He puts his hand in it, pulls up some water in his palm, then pours it back out into the pot.�

�� "Whoever drinks from this water of yours shall get thirsty again," Jesus says, explaining the obvious.�

�� His voice lowers.� She draws closer to hear his secret.� Then he confides in her.�

�� "But whoever drinks the water I give out will never thirst ever again forever!"he explains with a twinkle in his eye. [13]

�� "Never thirst forever?" she replies, curious about his new theory.

�� "The water I will give will become a fountain within you!� Yes, within you.� And it will gush up to give you eternal life," he adds excitedly. [14]

�� Istar is fascinated.� Has he discovered some kind of herb that will help a person retain water?� Or has he learned how to absorb rain water through the skin like plants do?

�� Oh, but this is a certain kind of thirst, Istar.� It's spirit thirst.� Life thirst.� Times of draught when friendships are strained and dried up.� When families are broken.� When loved ones get sick and die.� When people gossip.� When life becomes hard and crusty and there's no reason left to live.� When one's roots shrivel up and die.� Wrenching thirst.

�� "Sir, I'd sure like to have this water, so I don't ever get thirsty again and have to come all the way out here to this well every day." [15]

�� The potential's there for Istar.� She believes Jesus.� An imperfect faith, but belief nonetheless.� She actually believes.� No demanding proof, no scoffing, no walking away in righteous indignation.� Simple, childlike belief.�

�� We just need to work a little more on that faith.� So he changes the subject.

�� "Go, get your husband and bring him back here," Jesus tells her.

�� Uh, oh.� Is the water so heavy and so much that help is needed with it?�

�� She stares at him.� Is he her ally or her enemy?� Should she answer him or just walk away?� Is he playing games with her.� But that water.� That water would be worth having.� She clears her throat and mumbles.

�� "Actually, I don't have a husband," Istar admits to the stranger. [16]

�� Now, will he get in a huff like everyone else and leave?� Well, she wouldn't be any worse off than she water before she heard of the water of waters.

�� "You're right!" Jesus announces.�

�� He knows?� How could he know?� What's going on?

�� "You have had five husbands," he continues, looking her straight in the eye, "and the one you are now living with is not your husband." [17]

�� Well, Istar, you are at least truthful.� You aren't passing him off as a common-law husband or something.� You haven't tried to justify yourself.� You just said outright, "I have no husband."�

�� She feels compelled to tell the truth around this man.� But how did this stranger know this?� Istar is taken aback.� The townspeople know about her situation.� No one else does.� How can this stranger with a northern accent possibly know this?� Istar walks over to a rock nearby and sits down on it.

�� Jesus says nothing.� He waits.� She needs time.

�� How can he know this?� Her husbands and other things?� She looks over at him, still standing by the well.� He smiles.� She looks up at the clouds.� She looks over toward the city.� She really does need to get back home.� But, how?� Who is this man, anyway?� How does he know all about her?

�� "How did you know that?"� she blurts.

���� "I just did."

�� She shakes her head and looks down at the barren ground.� She mindlessly pushes around some pebbles with her big toe.�

�� She thinks back.� Searches her memory.� Has there ever been anyone else like this?� Back.� Searching.� A long time ago.� It hasn't happened for centuries.� Back.� A prophet.� Moses.� He told things that no one else knew.�

�� But that sort of thing doesn't happen in our century.� That was a very long time ago.� Not now.� These are modern times.�

�� Hesitatingly, Istar looks up and speaks, slowly and almost in a whisper.� "Are you some kind of prophet?"

�� He smiles again.� He's smiling in assent.� This is making her nervous.� He seems to know everything about her - probably her thoughts too.� That's scary!� Besides, what business is it of his even if she is living with a guy?� She plans to marry him some day.� They're just seeing if they're compatible.

�� Gotta change the subject.� This guy, this prophet, whoever he is, is getting just a little too personal.� He knows too much.� Gotta change the subject.

�� "Well, my ancestors built a temple to worship God here, but you Jews claim Jerusalem is the only place anyone can worship, there where your Temple is. You're really narrow minded, you know." [18]

�� Oh yes.� Get him off the subject.� Good thinking, Istar.� This guy is making you nervous.� Who is he, anyway?

�� But Jesus is not diverted.� He just picks up what she says and brings it back in line with the living water thing.

�� "Listen to me.� The time has come when you will not worship the heavenly Father in this mountain or in Jerusalem either one." [19]

�� Oh yes, Istar.� The Father is not limited to your space or my space or any space.� The Father is everywhere and for everyone.

�� Jesus continues.� "You worship spirits that don't even have names and gods that no one knows much about.� We worship the God we know by name.� Salvation comes only from Jehovah's scriptures, the provable Word of the only real God." [20]

�� Jesus isn't shy about saying he has the truth.� Yes, the Samaritans have the general idea.� But general isn't enough.� God is not general opinions or guesswork; God is absolute truth.� Because of this, God is more than nature.� God created nature.� God is not spirits, but Spirit.� God is both Truth and Spirit.�

�� Istar stands up.� This man, if he is a man....� This prophet....� What is he saying?� She walks closer to the well, and Jesus.

�� Jesus keeps talking and explaining.� It's hard.� But Istar will understand.

�� "The time is here when genuine worshipers of God will worship the Father in truth and not just in spirit.� It takes both.� The Father is looking for such kind of honest people to be his true worshippers.� God is Spirit and His worshipers must worship in both spirit and in truth." [21]

�� Both!� Do you hear that, Istar?� Not just spirit.� Not just truth.� But both!

�� Istar begins recalling teachings of the elders in her city.� Sometimes they taught about Ashurah, sometimes Baal, sometimes Jehovah.� They are probably all the same god anyway, they tell her.� She recalls teachings taken from Moses, a follower of Jehovah, centuries earlier.� She's always believed these teachings, but hadn't thought of them in a long time.� She recalls God telling Moses that he would raise up a prophet like Moses and put his words in his mouth so he'll explain everything God said.�

�� "I know that the Deliverer, called the Christ, is coming some day.� When he arrives, he will explain everything to us." [22]

�� He just did, Istar.� He just did.

�� Suddenly Istar's eyes begin to open.� This stranger is making all the things Moses wrote make sense.� It all is becoming so clear.�

�� Is this stranger sitting on the well before her the person coming some day to replace Moses?� Moses, the new law giver?� Moses, the freer of slaves?� Moses, who gave up heavenly luxury in a palace for everyday people?� Moses, the creator of a new kingdom of God?

�� Jesus slides down off the edge of the well and looks Istar in the eyes.� He hasn't actually told this outright to anyone thus far anywhere on earth.� He's about to do it now.�

�� But he won't do it to one of his own people.� Nor to one of the great religious leaders like the High Bishop.� Not to lofty Bible believers who know the scriptures cover to cover and practically word for word.�

�� He's about to tell it to an obscure woman with a questionable past.� No importance in her life.� Some things to be ashamed of even.� But he's about to tell her, of all people.

�� What is it, Jesus?� What are you about to tell this eccentric Samaritan woman?

�� "I ~ the one talking to you right now...."

�� Yes, Jesus?

�� "....am the one Moses predicted.� I am he." [23]

�� He waits for the reaction.

�� No jealousy from important religious leaders.� No death threats from powerful political leaders.� No forcing him to become king right then and there to free them from their enemies.� Nothing so complicated.�

�� Istar looks at Jesus a moment.� A moment of dawning.� A moment of light rushing in to shatter the darkness.� A moment of truth.� She smiles a great big grin.� Suddenly two and two equal four!� Suddenly words and logic equal wisdom!� Suddenly God and love equal salvation!

�� "Oh yes!" she shouts.� "You are!� You are!"

�� Just then they hear laughter.� Here come four scruffy-looking, needing-to-wash-their-hair men wearing dirty robes. [24]

�� Istar rushes past the scruffy men as though she never saw them.� She forgets all about her jug of water.� She's got a better water, a forever water.

�� The men mumble among themselves.�

�� "What could he be talking to this Samaritan woman about?" It's bad enough they had to buy food from the men in town.

�� "Why would he say anything to her to begin with?"

�� But they dare not say it directly to Jesus.

�� Istar rushes back to town.

�� They're having a circumcision celebration.� Half the town is related, so half the town is there.� She rushes in and interrupts.� People turn and give her the evil eye.� What's she trying to prove? [25]

�� "You can't just barge in like this, Istar!" the priest admonishes.

�� "But, everyone!� He's here!"

�� "Who's here?"

�� "The prophet!"

�� "We don't have prophets any more, Istar.� Now either stand over there or leave."

�� "But he's really a prophet!� Weren't we supposed to get another prophet 'like unto Moses'?� Isn't that what you older people have been teaching us all our lives?"

�� "Istar.� Be quiet and go home."

�� She goes for broke.

�� "This man, up at Jacob's well, told me everything I ever did in my life!"

�� "Right.� Sure.� Uhhh-huh."

�� "It's true.� He told me about my upbringing.� And my husbands...."

�� Some snicker. Some look at the floor in righteous indignation.

�� "And my children.� Everything.� He told me things I never told anyone."

�� No one replies this time.� People shuffle and strain to look at this questionable woman in their community who always seems to come up with words of wisdom when they're least wanting it from her.

�� The priest and elders mumble among each other.

�� "Everything, Istar?"

�� "Everything."

�� "Well, you've disrupted things so much now, I can't remember what I was saying about this baby when you barged in."

�� "Where is he?� If he's outside the door, we'll let him talk.� Go ahead and invite him in, that is, if the parents don't mind."

�� "Well, he's not here.� He's still over at the well.� He knows all about Moses and Jacob too."

�� An old woman speaks up.� "Why not!� What could it hurt?� The celebrating is about over anyway, and you elders are just going in circles anyway.� I think I'll go hear this other guy.� Maybe he's got more to say than you do."

�� The old woman's son and family follow her out.�

�� "She's right.� Someone else says loud enough for most people to hear.� Things are really dragging around here.�I'm going to hear this other fella."

�� Someone else gets up.� Then one of the grandfathers.

�� "Actually, I've been bored with this celebration the past hour.� I'm going to hear him too.� You all go ahead without me.� Not that there's any food left."

�� Singly, and in twos, and in family groups, people begin to file out.�

�� "Don't want to miss out on the fun."

��"You know," someone else says quite loudly as he approaches the outside door, "she just might have something there.� The prophet's got to appear some time.� Why not in our generation?� Huh?� Why not?"

�� "He's right.� I'm going too."

�� Gradually the celebration is deserted until only a hand full are left.

�� "I say we officially adjourn this celebration," announces the baby's other grandfather.� If you want to go home, go ahead.� I think there's some possible merit to this guy, whoever he is.� Has Istar ever lied to us?"

�� "Well, with all her faults, we have to say she's never lied.� Think I'll go too."

�� Istar's already on her way back out of town, leading an ever-growing procession toward Jacob's well.� A slow procession.� Istar doesn't want to lose anyone.� Everyone has to have a chance to hear this man.� [26]

�� This man?� This prophet.� Definitely a prophet.� More than a prophet.� Sent directly by God.� Definitely.

�� In the mean time, back at the well, Jesus' friends are still trying to get him to eat.��

�� "Here, we brought you a rice cake.� Here's some figs, and a barley loaf.� And here's a skin of fresh wine."

�� They set it on the edge of the well, but Jesus just looks at it.

�� "Come on, now, Jesus.� Eat up!"

�� "I have nourishment of which you have no idea!"

�� "Well, he does look a little better than when we left him.� But there's no food here.� Surely no one else came way out here."

�� "Surely no one has brought him anything to eat."

�� "My nourishment," Jesus explains in an odd sort of way, "is that I do the will of my Sender and completely do his work."

�� Jesus does agree, however, to their urgings, and finally takes a few bites of nourishment. The human side of him does need it, he knows. [27]

�� But he's too excited to eat much.� The drama has just begun.� He knows what's about to happen next.� He doesn't want to miss it.� He doesn't want his friends to miss it.

�� "There's something I want to show you."

�� The men are still confused by his statement of having eaten before they got back.

�� "He couldn't have picked something out of a field.� Seed hasn't even been planted yet.� There wouldn't be anything in the fields for four more months."

�� "Don't say it's four months before there's anything to harvest.� Look, I tell you!� Raise you eyes and observe the field.� They are full and ready for harvest."

�� He is not looking toward the fields, though.� He is looking toward the city.

�� Confused, they toward the city gate.� There's a rush of people coming through.� Coming in their direction.� Coming to the well of water.� Coming with their thirst.� Coming in anticipation.� The whole town's coming out to Jesus! [28]

�� Everyone curious.� Everyone deep down heartened in a way.� Everyone thinking it won't hurt to listen to what he has to say.� Everyone hopeful that Istar was right.

�� Everything she ever did.� That's what she said.� This man knew everything she ever did.� That's a lot of things, Istar!

�� Jesus' four friends, his aides, stare at the procession of lights in amazement.

�� But Samaritans don't want to hear the truth.� They just want to keep declaring there is no such thing as truth.� Truth it whatever anyone thinks it is.� They like the confusion they live in.� Let them wallow in it.�

�� Samaritans.� Leave them alone to their beliefs.� They want to believe in all those air spirits.� Let them.� They're not going to believe anything you say, Jesus.� Don't waste your time on them.� They're not really very holy.

�� You can't change Samaritans.� They've been this way for centuries.� No one's going to change them.�

�� But the crowd keeps coming.� Eventually the sound of their voices become detectable.� Slight at first.� Intermittent.� Then louder.� Finally a roar.� A mighty roar!� Not like drum beats.� Not like war whoops.� The roar of people hungering and thirsting after righteousness.� The roar of people seeking desperately to devour the truth with all their hearts.�

�� Destroy this roar?� Never!

�� Jesus explains the phenomenon.� "Already you reapers are receiving payback and are gathering a crop which is now set aside to live forever."

�� Wages for a noontime discussion with a questionable pagan woman.� Wonderful wages.� Wages collected in love and joy.� Ecstatic salvation handed out freely.� [29]

�� Oh yes, Lord.� One noontime.� One person with a message.� One woman to hear.� A sparse congregation.� But one and one now equal hundreds.�

�� Jesus alternately watches the crowd of anxious people drawing closer, and his four friends standing there with their mouths open.� They're hardly believing their eyes!

��
"The planter and the harvester are both glad," Jesus adds.

�� A single sermon by a single person.� The planting wasn't so hard, except that it was done while so hungry thirsty and tired. But the listener was even more thirsty.� And all her friends.� And perhaps a few enemies.� All thirsty.� All coming to hear more with hopes they'll be filled.�

�� Are you ready, aides of Jesus?� Are you ready for the joyous repenting you are about to hear?� Are you ready to help these people be saved?�

�� "The saying, 'One plants and another harvests,' is proven You are harvesting a crop you did not plant; others toiled and you step in to benefit from their work."

�� Planting the seeds didn't just take place now.� It wasn't only Jesus' single sermon to a single-person congregation.� It was Abraham's sowing in faith, and Isaac's and Jacob's.� It was Moses' speeches to the people as he and God established the new nation.� It was every godly prophet who ever lived before, even the prophets the Indians didn't believe in.� Their influence was felt.� Everyone was sowing.� Thousands of years ago.� Centuries long past.� Thirty years ago.� A few hours ago.� Everyone sowing.

�� And now Jesus' aides stand ready to reap the benefits by helping these people be saved.

�� Shouting!� It's Istar.� She's brought her family.� Mom and Dad on each side of her.� Partly-grown kids behind her.� And her boyfriend.�

�� Shouting excitedly.

�� Hey, Jesus!� Is that you?� Istar turns and shouts.

�� "That's him!� That's the one who told me everything I ever did!� Listen to him!� He's the prophet!� He's the one who knew all about me!" [30]

�� Jesus waits as the townspeople arrive and settle in on the ground.� Settle in to stay awhile.� Jesus stands by the water.� People come to the water.� Pagan people.

�� "Are you the prophet our people have been looking for centuries?� Are you?"

�� Jesus holds up his hands and quiets the crowd.� He begins to speak.� He speaks of the one God of the Samaritan ancestors.� He speaks of the one God of every nation on earth.� He speaks of the one creator, the judge, the merciful heavenly father.

�� Jesus speaks a couple of hours.� It's getting late.� He becomes obviously tired again.� He speaks a little longer.� But his energy is about spent.

�� The crowd understands.

�� "Stay here in our town.� We'll put you and your friends up for the night in our finest home.� Just stay here and teach us more tomorrow." [31]

�� Jesus agrees.� He and his friends follow Istar and the elders into town.� Wearily they fall into bed that night.� So weary.� They haven't been in a real bed for three nights.� It feels so good.� They feel so content.� The towns people feel so hopeful.

�� A slight ray peaks between a couple of hills, then blinks as a fleeting cloud meanders by.� It peaks once again.� All is well.� Come on out, sun.� This is a great day.� Come quickly, sun.� You've got work today.� Don't play hide and seek with us.� Shine down on Jesus, the Savior.� Shine down on these forgotten Samaritan people.� Shine down on spirit and truth reborn this day in the hearts of many souls.

�� Jesus awakens.� One by one his friends do.� They clean up and go outside.� Where are they supposed to assemble?� Someone is waiting for them.

�� "In the city temple, Rabbi."

�� But first, we have breakfast for you.� We've got a thousand questions for you.

�� Jesus eats, then walks over to the city temple.� Then the people eat, and drink.� They drink of the living water, the eternal water, the water with which one never again thirsts.� How they drink.� Wonderful water.� Sparkling water.� Heart felt and full of spirit.� Clear and full of truth.�

�� Yes, in spirit and in truth.

�� Jesus takes his usual half hour to answer most questions.� They are good questions.� Well thought out questions.� Questions of honest seekers.

�� They break for lunch.� Lunch is eaten hastily.� They give Jesus a little time for a nap.� Then it starts again.� Questions.� Answers.� Filling the void.� The long, empty void.� Filling hearts with living water.

�� It is now night.� Jesus and the four go back to their quarters and rest once again.� They pray for the Samaritans.� They thank God for their pure, open hearts.� Believe it or not.

�� Morning once again.� Salvation forever.�

�� More and more people come to hear him.� Hardly anyone in the streets now except those running to friends and family members who hadn't been interested at first.� "Come hear this man.� He's explaining everything to us.� He is the prophet.� He is the messiah.� He is the Christ.� He is giving us eternal life.� You must come.� Hurry!� Before he leaves."

�� Indeed, they must leave in the morning.� They have been here two days.� Jesus must hurry on.� There's someone else who needs him.� It is critical he get there in time to help the man's son before he dies.�

�� Jesus and his friends spend one last night on Sychar.� They fall sleep exhausted.� But feeling good.�

�� They had dared to touch the untouchable.� Those obviously not interested in religion.� Those stubborn ones who never listen.� The non-conformists.� Pagans.� Those who truly listen and are forever grateful.

���� LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� We all have some group of people we consider outcasts, even though we may claim we don't.� It may remain unspoken, or even unacknowledged by ourselves.� A test for who we consider outcasts would be to ask ourselves, "Would I want them as my neighbors?".� Who are they?� Plan some way you will come in contact with these "outcasts" to get to know them as individuals with the same life desires as you do?� When will you carry out your plan?

2.�� Share a time when you messed up quite badly, but were given a second chance.� How does this help understand what Jesus can do for us after we have messed up our lives in an even larger sense? �Will you pray to him about this?

3.�� What kind of spirit thirst do you feel right now?� Choose a main word that describes your spirit thirst.� Locate a concordance (exhaustive index to every word in the Bible - found or can be ordered in any bookstore), write down or photocopy the scriptures with that word, look them all up, and write down how God can help you with this spirit thirst.

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