English 
繁體中文 
简体中文 
The water jar left behind.
Jesus traveled from Judea back to Galilee, passing through Samaria. He came to Jacob’s well in Sychar and spoke with a Samaritan woman (John 4:3-26).
Jesus told her that the water He gives will make people never thirst again, and He revealed that she had five husbands, and the man she was with was not her husband. When the woman discussed with Him where people should worship, Jesus explained that God is Spirit, and that worship must be in spirit and truth. He then affirmed to her that He was the Messiah she had been waiting for.
The woman had come to the well at noon to draw water and unexpectedly met Christ. Initially, she thought Jesus was just another foreigner asking for a drink and boasting grand claims. However, she soon recognized His significance when He accurately disclosed her private life details: she was living with a man who was not her husband after having had five husbands. This led her to address Him as a prophet and seriously discuss matters of worship with Him. Jesus’s responses deeply moved her, so when He declared to her that He was the Messiah, she truly believed that Jesus was the Christ.
The Gospel of John records that this woman left her water jar, went into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of her testimony (John 4:27-29, 39).
The act of leaving her water jar at Jacob’s well was symbolically rich. The jar, essential for carrying water home, symbolized her old reliance. In her astonishment at meeting Christ, she left behind this symbol of her old life to excitedly proclaim Christ and His power. This decision indicated her readiness to abandon her old ways and embrace the new life Christ offered. What are you willing to abandon to achieve peace in your life? Abandoning bad habits would be a good start. Bad habits have often been the reason why people cannot change for the better.
Leaving the water jar also signified that she had discovered something far more important than fetching water: she had met Christ. Choosing to leave the jar to urgently inform others about Jesus, even revealing her past to the public, was a courageous choice, prioritizing proclaiming Christ over worldly concerns. What do you treasure and want most in life that you are willing to do what it takes to attain it? Love is the universal need for human beings. Are you longing and seeking to love and be loved in return?
Each time I read about the Samaritan woman proclaiming to everyone in the city, I envision two vivid scenes: her dynamic proclamation and the static image of the large water jar left by the well.
Whenever I face difficulties and feel a lack of immediate response from God, I recall these images. These images remind me to do something for God, others, and myself. The static scene of the left-behind water jar reminds me to let go, submit, and transform. Eventually, through prayer, scripture reading, and fellowship, I find God’s guidance and regain strength. And in the end, I find peace and love.
Perhaps, this is an important pattern of spiritual growth that our Heavenly Father teaches His children: to commit to serving, which glorifies God, benefits others, and enriches oneself, while remembering to leave our “water jars”—our old selves—before the Lord. Let us leave our jars behind to attain peace and love.
We warmly invite you to come to the Chicago True Jesus Church’s Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation in September.
Thursday, September 26,2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024, 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Please find our church location as follows:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps
In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org