Just one sinful woman–rejected, despised, an outcast. She had been living an adulterous lifestyle and could not escape her past. She was in a habit of coming to the well in the afternoon, preferring the intense heat of the day rather than the whispers and scornful looks she knew she would receive otherwise. Yet one blessed day, she met a Man by the well Who changed her entire world.
I wrote this poem based on the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4.
Water of Life
“A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me a drink.”’
What can you mean, Sir? How can this be?
That You, a Jew, would speak to me?
Besides, I’m a sinner, and utterly despised.
You must not have heard the rumors from spies.
That’s why I’m here in the heat of the day,
From the gossip of women to get away.
Why would You ask me for a drink?
Tell me, I pray, what do you think?
Those of Your race hate those of mine;
It’s been this way for a very long time.
They even this country will pass around;
Their hatred forbids them to step foot on this ground.
So what do you need of me? Why do You ask?
Shall I for You lower my flask?
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
You have nothing to draw with, and this well is deep.
How can I the benefits reap?
Where do you get this living water?
Are You greater than Jacob our father?
How can water be filled with life,
In this world full of conflict and strife?
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
How can You know of my terrible past?
You ought to be a prophet, at least.
You see through my veil with penetrating eye;
Into my past You see by-and-by.
Now, You know that I’m full of sin,
So where should I go to offer restitution?
You Jews say Jerusalem,
But Samaritans say Mount Gerazim.
Where do I go to be forgiven?
Where will the sacrifice cleanse me deep within?
I’m guilty-You know it-
And shameful to show it.
And so confused about where to go-
Tell me, please, so I know.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
I know that the Messiah will come,
To silence our fears and unite everyone.
He will answer our questions so well,
And to Him, every tongue praise will tell.
The Scriptures have promised- I know they have said-
That He is coming to quiet our dread.
.Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
I’m full of questions, I’m filled with doubt,
Faith as a mountain I am without.
However, I have it as a mustard seed;
This, my Master, I beg you to heed.
You all my questions answer did not,
Yet content You made me with my lot.
I still don’t know all I wish I did,
Yet my sin before me You have hid.
Still many answers I do not know,
But I trust Your name; to You I will go.
You don’t explain why past had to happen,
Yet You simply say to trust.
The things You keep secret You’ve hid for a reason;
To demand the answers would surely be treason.
I simply need to have faith in You,
Since forgiven me have You.
I know that You are the Christ-
You all our wrongs will right.
You see through my hiding of my sin,
You see right through me, straight within,
I’ve tried to hide, but I can’t hide from You!
Whatever I’ve done, You know, too!
I still don’t get the answers of life,
But that doesn’t matter; to You my dark is light.
You see into my doubting heart,
And to me Your peace impart.
Thirsty now I am not;
Your living water in me You’ve wrought.
So now, O Lord, I choose to trust,
To have faith in You I must.
You are good, faithful, strong, and true;
So I will put my trust in You!
This news I must share, and spread everywhere;
YOU ARE THE MESSIAH!!!!
