EXTRAORDINARY WATER

There are so many hidden meanings in the account of the Samaritan woman, that we miss the important parts. Was it just that Jesus is showing his humanness by sitting by Jacob's well thirsting for water? Or why was it necessary for us to know that it was at the sixth hour of the day, (noon) giving reference to possibly how hot and thirsty He was at that time? Was there a reason that He didn't have anything to draw water with into the deep well, He who "gave" the well in the first place. This well required that the water needed to be "fetched," as it was not one that "sprung up." Water is a lifesaving commodity. No water, no life. Is this all about the fact that Jesus was communicating with someone who had no dealings with Jews and a woman at that? The story goes much deeper, like the well.

When you look down into a deep well, you cannot see inside, all remains hidden. Jesus looked into the well of the woman, and "saw all". He asked her for ordinary water, she asked Him for water that will become a fountain of water, springing up into "everlasting life." True life from true God.

This water that He gave her was extraordinary water in that "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him, will never thirst." (John 4:14)

Saturday, we will hear the at the Vesper service, in the stichera that, at that same hour, (the sixth hour or noon), is the time that Eve had been driven out from Paradise, the result of the serpent's temptation. At the same time, (the sixth hour,) the Samaritan woman came to draw water, and left, having received everlasting and living water from Christ the Lord. She who once was filled with ugly vices, now leaves "chaste." Having asked for living water, and, having received, she left rejoicing and telling other's to come and "See the Lord", who is called "twice" during the Vesper service, "The fountain of Wonders."

Could this be a prefiguration of our personal encounter, with the Living God, for us to taste the extraordinary water "if we desire to", in order to have everlasting life. When, we will "Thirst No More."

The woman said to Him, "I know that the Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things."
"Jesus said the her, "I who speak to you am He." (John 4:26).

We are reminded in the days we celebrate Christ Risen from the dead, just as Jesus in His humanity, which was voluntarily assumed, we can in our humanness decide to "put on Christ" voluntarily participating in knowing that He is the final revelation of God, the giver of life and refreshment to all. All you need to do is come to the well and draw from the Living Water. Don't worry about not having anything to draw water with, He didn't have anything either.

reference: The Orthodox Study Bible. http://www.antiochian.org/sites (stichera)