February 28 | John 4:27-45
- Michael Guastella
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Leave the Water Jar Behind
By Michael Guastella
At the start of John 4, we see Jesus crossing boundaries, both geographical and cultural. He engages the Samaritan woman and has a dialogue with her, and by the time we get to verse 27, Jesus has identified himself as the Messiah to the woman at the well. And then, the transformation begins.
A bit earlier in verse 25, the woman expresses her faith that she knows the Messiah is coming, and she is waiting for Him. This is after Jesus has already told her “everything she ever did”, according to her, but Jesus need to really hammer it home with her and says “I am He”. She is so caught off guard, she leaves her water jar (the very reason she was there in the first place) and runs into town.
Her daily survival, the water, is left behind immediately upon meeting the Messiah. A powerful lesson for us: when Jesus becomes real to us, our existing needs lose their urgency. What’s our “water jar” we need to leave behind?
As soon as she does, she becomes a witness to the miracle of Jesus and needs to share it with the world. Her message isn’t theological, or argumentative, it’s simply “come and see.” Another reminder that we don’t need to outsmart those we witness to, we don’t need to beat them into submission with our words, we just need to let them in and show them what the presence of Jesus will change – everything. The woman says “come and see” and the people in the town respond. So will the people in our town. One simple conversation at the well turned into an entire village witnessing Jesus with their own eyes.
The disciples are still focused on feeding Jesus (proof that a group of guys getting together has required a meal since time immemorial). But Jesus responds: “My food… is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Then He tells them to open their eyes and look at the fields, because they are ripe for harvest. The harvest is not theoretical. It is walking toward them from the town at that very moment.
The woman’s story becomes the first glimpse of that harvest. Yet even more beautiful is what the townspeople eventually say: “Now we have heard for ourselves.” Her testimony was the starting point, but their faith becomes personal.
This passage should be precious to all of us. It reminds us the power of small moments turning into something bigger. It reveals to us the plans that Jesus has for each of us. It gives us hope that we don’t need our water jars to no longer be thirsty. We experience Jesus, we run to tell the world, and we let Him do the rest.
PRAYER
Lord, we are forever in awe of you. We will leave our water jars behind and tell the world to come and see. We will look at the open fields of our communities, and know that you have left them ripe for harvest. Please always give us the strength and the courage to show to others what you have done in our lives, and let us continually be a testimony to your glory.
Amen.
About the Author
MICHAEL GUASTELLA
I have been a Hilliard resident since 2022, and have lived in Columbus about 11 years. I am originally from the Cleveland area. I work in downtown Columbus as a government affairs consultant. My wife, Rachael, and I have been attending UALC since early 2024.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on “leaving our jars at the well.” I was very familiar with that passage, but never thought in quite that way. Your illustration resonated with me and I aim to be more intentional at “leaving my jar at the well” resting in the knowledge that Christ is all I need to carry on. In doing so, I pray that the hope and peace that is within me will shine brightly to all those I come in contact with.
I love the story of the woman at the well, probably because her story is real and raw. Your question, "what's our water jar we need to leave behind?" is worth pondering all day. Thank you.
Wow! What a way to give us the message in a way that puts it in a picture. My brain went to the way of seeing the word in action. My day takes on a new mission!