Wells and cisterns are mentioned in various places in both the Old and New Testaments. We see these wells and cisterns referenced in Genesis 29: 1-3, Proverbs 5: 15, Eccl 12: 6 as well as 12: 3, Jeremiah 2:13 and of course John 4: 9-28. This last scripture references the story of the woman at the well; the focus of this excerpt.
Cisterns as well as wells begin as a hole in dug in the ground using various tools: pickaxe, shovels, ropes, mallets, buckets and yes, ladders. Cisterns were designed to hold water while wells were designed to tap into an underground spring. Both could be either life-giving if they held or tapped into an underground spring or a death trap, open grave, sometimes filled with snakes at the bottom.
Jacobs Well was the scene in this particular scripture in the Gospel of John where Jesus confronts the Samaritan woman asking for a drink. She had already lowered the bucket or vessel deep into the well and brought up the container filled with water. But the woman was not expecting that Jesus drew from what was deep and hidden inside her, exposing her sin with conviction not condemnation.
The Samaritian woman in giving Jesus a drink gave him what was deep inside her and her eyes were opened as Jesus gave her a revelation in turn of himself; the true well of Israel dug by God not man. This well, the Samaritan woman realized was placed by God to quench the thirst of all mankind. She immediately in her joy left her pitcher and ran back to the Samaritan village saying to all, “Come see a man who told me all I did. Is not this the Christ! The entire village came to hear the message of salvation.
What the Samaritan woman received was the joy of her salvation deep in the well of her spirit, which came bubbling and springing up inside her. All who receive Jesus into their hearts have this well established by the hand of God with the promise of a spring gushing forth with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This joy deep inside needs to be stirred up and brought forth in the our vessel in praise and worship, and can be. As scripture states; “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” The Apostle Paul discovered this; praising God while in prison. Jesus himself knew of the well in himself as scripture states; “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, despising its shame.”
We need to tap into that joy like the woman at the well if we are to finish the race with joy. With salvation it is down there. We just have to find it and let it out, carrying it with us. No longer a burdened, weighed down Christian who may witness with their mouth but carries the weight of a mission like a pack mule. We rejoice in him and he lifts our burdens and changes our countenance showing his glory to others; Joy unspeakable and full of glory. The world can’t resist such a drink.