An abandoned vessel

“Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done!’” John 4:28-29

In recently reflecting on this story of the woman at the well (John 4), I noticed something I had not considered before. Verse 28 says, “She left her water jar and went back to the city.” Think about that. She didn’t pick up her water jar and run into town, but left it there at the old well.

I wonder if this detail of the story might be an invitation to us as readers to consider the figurative vessels we carry around to fill up with the things of this world that sustain us—perhaps things we don’t think we can live without. Certainly, water is necessary for life, but when this woman met Jesus, her mind and heart shifted to the reality of His beautiful promise to her, and suddenly—perhaps without even realizing it—she left her earthly water jug behind.

I don’t know about you, but I want to live in such a way that my whole being is consumed with the goodness of God. And for each of us, more important than the vessel we carry is the one we become—overflowing with the Living Water of Jesus Christ.

~em

Photo Credit: Deyan Sight on Unsplash