Empty Buckets

Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:22b–27 (NLT)

Now he had to go through Samaria… John 4:4

So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. John 4:5–6

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) John 4:7–8

The woman was surprised, for Jews REFUSE to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking ME for a drink?” John 4:9

Jesus doesn’t REFUSE anyone.

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ASK ME, and I would give YOU living water.” John 4:10

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this “living water”? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?" John 4:11–12

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks THIS water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I GIVE will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13–14

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to keep coming here at noon to get water.” John 4:15

“Go and get your husband, and come back…” John 4:16

"I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." John 4:17–18

Jesus knows our DEEPEST THIRST

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks THIS water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I GIVE will NEVER be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring WITHIN them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13–14

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken ME, the spring of living water, and have dug their OWN cisterns, broken cisterns that CANNOT hold water. Jeremiah 2:13

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." John 4:19

“The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." John 4:25

“Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you AM HE." John 4:26

“Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" John 4:27

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went BACK to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man REALLY IS the Savior of the world." John 4:28–30, 39–42

Jesus can REDEEM ANY LIFE

Redeem (v): 1. to make something acceptable 2. to restore reputation 3. atone for human sin 4. to buy something back English Encarta Dictionary

Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13–14 (NLT)

“Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.” Isaiah 55:2–3a (NLT)

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:37b–38

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let those who hear say, "Come!" Let all who are thirsty come; and let all who wish, take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17 (TNIV)

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