It had been a long, hot journey. He rested at the well and watched her as she trudged her way toward Him carrying two water jars to refill. Usually the women in the town would walk there together in the cool of the morning, but this woman walks alone. People spit her name. She knows it, and so does He.

She approaches the well, not knowing that the man sitting there is The One sent to save her. The Savior of the World.

While the rest of town sees her as a disgrace, He sees her as a child of God who lost her way. He knows all of her sins. He could dismiss her. He could rebuke her. Instead, He asks for her help.

“May I have a drink of water, please?”

He is the Son of God who turned water into wine. Why would He ask someone to give Him water when He could make a cup of water appear in His hand? I believe He asked this because it was a simple way to start a conversation. An opening line, if I may. The subject of water was an appropriate segue into living water, to everlasting life, and then to “I Am He.” He wanted to gain her soul. Jesus saw beyond her transgressions. Out of all the people He could have chosen to begin evangelizing, He chose the woman at the well.

This is one of the many illustrations of God’s love for us. He loves bringing the weary traveler home. He’s doesn’t shame us for our past; He tells us to turn away from it. And while we feel the filth of our shame, He washes us clean through His glorious sacrifice on the cross.