By Mike Caton

John 4:7-8, When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

Here’s the scene. Jesus is tired from his journey, and no doubt his disciples are tired too. Jesus sits down by the well, but everyone’s stomach is grumbling. Someone says they ought to go into town to get something to eat, and maybe Jesus stirs. But they tell him to just wait here, they will get something and bring it back. Don’t we do things like that for folks we love? You sit there and I’ll get you a drink from the kitchen. You sit there and I’ll check on the kids. You sit in the car and I’ll run into the store. And too, maybe they wanted to protect Jesus from the Samaritans they knew they would encounter. So the disciples head into town for food and Jesus waits for them to come back.

And a Samaritan woman comes out to draw her water. This is a little odd, you would draw water at the beginning of the day, before you got started and needed it. Or maybe you would come in the evening, so you didn’t have to do it first thing. Others would be there doing the same thing, and you could catch up on the news and gossip as well. But it is about noon. That is going to tell us something about this woman. Anyway, when she approaches, Jesus asks her for a drink of water. Seems perfectly normal to us. Except that in that day and culture, men didn’t speak to women they didn’t know. And Jews didn’t speak with Samaritans. And how would Jesus drink from this unclean person without making himself unclean? That simple request breaks a lot of barriers.

Are we willing to do that? Will we go against the norms of society to reach out to folks? Will we speak to those who are vastly different, who are unclean and ask them for a favor? Will we associate with those who are beneath us, for whatever reason to engage in conversation with them? And think for a moment. Why does Jesus ask this question, is he really that thirsty? Couldn’t he and maybe shouldn’t he wait for his disciples? But Jesus has more in mind that water from this well. And we need to think more about heavenly things than earthly things. I suppose it really depends on our perspective, on what is important to us. Our actions will reveal our hearts.

Father, help me see situations as you do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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