The story of the woman at the well in John 4 shows us Jesus’s deep compassion and His mission to offer salvation to everyone, even those who may be discarded by others. Through His conversation with the Samaritan woman, He reveals Himself as the Messiah and the source of living water that satisfies the deepest thirst. (“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14)

Many of us know people who struggle with doubt or negative views about God, the church, Jesus, or Christianity. After reflecting on my own faith, I realized that the gospel is not about negativity but love—the love of Jesus, who sacrificed His life to reconcile us to the Father. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Love transforms us, and when we truly experience the love of Jesus, it compels us to drop our water pots—our sins, habits, and struggles—and receive the living water He offers as he describes in John 4 verses 13 and 14. (“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.’” John 4:13-14)

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He frees us from the bondage of sin, satisfies our deepest longings, and transforms our lives for His purpose. Dropping our “water pots” means letting go of temporary fixes and allowing Jesus to fill us with eternal satisfaction, freedom, and a new purpose. Just as the Samaritan woman left her water pot behind and shared the good news with others, surrendering to Jesus leads to a transformative relationship with Him, one that empowers us to live for His glory. (“So the woman left her water jar and went into the city and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?’” John 4:28-29)