1/27/14- Jacob and Jesus

11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

Thoughts: The woman was thinking of the physical and temporary.  This is what we tend to think of even in the face of the Son of God Himself.  But there is an eternal reality that for which we long and thirst.  Jesus may have been thinking of Numbers 21 where the Israelites sang a song "Spring up O well."  God provides water in the desert- hope in the hopelessness of life.
      She asked if Jesus was greater than their father Jacob.  Jesus answered comparing his spiritual water to Joseph's physical water.  Which is greater, water in the desert that brings temporary life, or water that gives eternal life?   Jacob wrestled with God, but God overcame and changed his name to Israel- Prince of God.  God bestowed the name Prince to him.  Jesus is making the claim.  Then he backs up that claim. 

Prayer: Lord, you are the Living Water.  May I commit myself fully to you.  

(Jacob wrestling with the angel of God- Rembrandt)