Spilling the Living Tea
[The disciples] were astonished that [Jesus] was speaking with a woman… Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” -John 4:27-29 (NRSV)
She came for a chore, but she left with an assignment.
She carried too much pain, history, judgment, and—without even knowing—she carried it all the way to Jesus. She just went to put some water in her jar and get back to it.
Jesus didn’t turn away from her, knowing all he knew, which was all the tea (her personal business). He met her. He answered her. He took her tea and gave her living water.
The Samaritan woman ran home with her testimony. She said, “Come see this man!” She didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t need them. She had her story. She had her blessing. She had her call.
She is the first preacher of the good news.
What has Jesus blessed you with? What knowledge, what experience, what blessing has been entrusted to you?
Your story matters. Your testimony matters. Because when Living Water flows into dry places, you can’t hold it in. You’ve got to tell somebody.
Prayer
Jesus, you saw her. You see me. You answered her. Answer me. You blessed her. Bless me, so that I may tell somebody. Amen.
About the AuthorKaji Douša is the Senior Pastor of The Park Avenue Christian Church, a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, in New York City.