The Woman at the Well.

He must pass through Samaria that day,
To rest by Jacob's well;
For there He'd meet a thirsty soul
With truths she longed to tell.

"Give Me a drink," the Savior said—
A shock to her surprise;
For Jews shunned Samaritans,
And women they despised.

"You are a Jew, and I a Samaritan—
Why ask a drink from me?"
She knew the law, but not the grace
That soon would set her free.

"If you but knew who speaks to you,
You would have asked of Me;
I'd give you water living still,
That flows eternally."

She paused, then said, "The well is deep,
You have no rope nor jar;
From where comes this living water, Lord?
Are You greater than Jacob our father?"

"All who drink from this earthly well
Will thirst again," He said;
"But those who drink the gift I give
Will thirst no more instead.

The water I give will rise within,
A spring forever true,
Flowing up to eternal life—
Life full and new."

"Sir, give me this living water then,
That I may thirst no more,
Nor walk this weary path again
To draw from this same shore."

"Go, call your husband," Jesus said,
And gently searched her life.
"I have no husband," she replied—
"You've spoken true," He testified.

"You've had five husbands," Jesus said,
"And now another stands."
"I see that You are a prophet," she spoke,
Her heart now in His hands.

"Our fathers worshiped on this mount,
You say Jerusalem."
"The hour has come," said Christ our Lord,
"For true worship begins within.

Not here nor there defines the place—
But spirit, truth, and grace;
The Father seeks such worshipers
In every time and place."

"I know Messiah soon will come,"
She said with hopeful breath.
"He will reveal all things to us."
Then Jesus answered, clear and direct:

"I who speak to you
Am He."

She ran to tell her people then,
Her fear and shame long gone:
"Come see the Man who told my life—
Could this be God's Anointed One?"

And many believed as they heard Him speak,
Their hearts by truth were stirred;
They knew the hope foretold in Scripture—
This Man, the Savior of the world.